403 



With forked tail. 



G1LTHEAD SPARUS. 



Sparus Aurata. S. argenteo-c&rulescens, superciliis auratis, 



macula utrinqve pone caput purpurea. 

 Silvery-blueish Sparus, with gold-coloured brows, and a purple 



spot beyond each side the head. 

 Sparus Aurata. Lin. Block, t. 266. 



General length about fifteen inches, but oc- 

 casionally found of far larger size : body broad and 

 thin, the back rising into a carina : colour as ex- 

 pressed in the specific character, but sometimes 

 with the addition of several brownish longitudinal 

 stripes : native of the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and 

 Indian seas, and held in considerable esteem as a 

 food : much admired by the ancient Greeks and 

 Romans, and by the former nation consecrated to 

 Venus. 



SARGY SPARUS. 



Spartis Sargus. S. subargenteus Jlavo longitudinaliter striatus 

 subnigro transversim fascial us, macula ad basin caudce nigra. 



Subargenteous Sparus, with yellow longitudinal streaks, 

 blackish transverse bands, and black spot at the base of the 

 tail. 



Sparus Sargus. Lin. Block, t. 264. 



Size nearly that of the Gilthead : shape not 

 dissimilar, but deeper in proportion : native of the 

 Mediterranean : esteemed as a food. 



