MEDITERRANEAN FILE-FISH. 411 



poslte : on each side the extremity of the body two 

 transverse rows of short spines : tail slightly lunat- 

 ed. Native of the Indian seas : observed by Coin- 

 merson. 



MEDITERRANEAN FILE-FISH. 



Balistes Capriscus. B. griseo-violacens, rubro cceruleove mrU 

 atus, pinna ventrali solitaria, cauda rotundata. 



Violet-grey File-Fish, with red or blue variegations, single 

 ventral fin, and rounded tail. 



Balistes Capriscus. B. dorso triacanthot squamis nnd'ique acuk- 

 atis. Seb. mus. 3. p. 63. t, 24:. f. l6. 



Capriscus. Aldr. Oesn. Rondel. Jonst. Will.S^c. 



Length from one to two feet : shape ovate, as 

 in the Balistes Vetula : general colour violaceous 

 grey, sometimes variegated both on the body and 

 fins with blue or red spots : irides yellow : pupils 

 blue : first or small dorsal fin furnished with three 

 or four rays ; the first of which is very strong : 

 tail rounded. Native of the American, Indian, and 

 Mediterranean seas. This is almost the only 

 species of the genus Balistes that is found in the 

 European seas, and has in consequence been de- 

 scribed by most Ichthyologists. The peculiar struc- 

 ture of the first or small dorsal fin is well observed 

 by Salvian, who remarks that the bones or rays are 

 so contrived as to act in concert with considerable 

 force in suddenly elevating the fin at the pleasure 

 of the animal ; and though the foremost or largest be 

 pressed never so hard, it will not stir ; but if the last 

 or least of all be pressed never so slightly, the other 



