SAPFHIRIKE GUPvNAP.D. 
Of the Gurnard, in general} the distinguish- 
ing charafters are, that the nose slopes, the 
head is covered with strong bony plates ; there 
are seven branchiostegoiis rays ; and three slen- 
der appendages at the base of the pedtoral fins. 
The Sapphirine Gurnard, deuncated in th© 
annexed figure, is frequently caugh: on the 
Cornish coast, and some other pares of the 
British seas. It is particularly beautiful ; and 
has, certainly, some not very remote resem- 
blance, when swimming, to the swallow in tlie 
ztt of flying ; to which circumstance it is ob- 
viously indebted for it's Linnaean name. This 
fish is distinguished from cvcrv other species 
of Gurnards, by the breadth and colour of the 
pectoral fins, w^hich are very broad and long, 
and of a pale green hue, most beautifully spot- 
ted and edged with a rich deep blue. The dor- 
sal fins are lodged between iwo rays of spines 
of a serrated form ; the back is of a greenish 
cast ; the lateral line is rough ; the sides are 
tinged with red ; the body is white ; and the 
eves, the pupils of which arc green, have two 
small spines on the inner corner of each. 
