OF FISH. 
285 
Ribbon Fish. (PL 49.) The head of this fish is 
broadest at top; the mouth large, opening obliquely : the 
under jaw is the longest, and both are armed with sharp 
teeth, one row in the upper, two in the lower: the tongue 
is thin, broad, and rough: the eyes are large, standing at 
the top of the head; the pupil is black, the iris silver 
mixed with blue; there is a round hole in the inner edge 
of each eye: the aperture of the gills is wide: the covert 
single; before the aperture are five minute holes, and se- 
veral of the same kind near the eye: they probably se- 
crete a viscous or slimy matter. This fish has an extreme- 
ly slender and tapering shape; the body being twelve 
inches in length, and scarcely one in thickness: it is of a 
sivery colour, and semi-transparent. The pectoral fins 
are small, and their rays so slender, that they are almost 
imperceptible. About an inch behind the head, rises 
the doral fin, which is continued till it joins the tail, 
where it meets the anul fin, which begins so near the 
throat, that the anus is situated immediately below the 
angle of the lower jaw. The fins display a great bril- 
liancy of colour, being of a most beautiful red, with five 
spots of a deeper or brighter cast, placed on each side of 
the body: the tail is wedge shaped: the head is of a 
silver colour mingled with red; the back is gray; the sides 
and belly silvery. 
This fish is found in the Mediterranean; it is sold in 
the markets of Rome; but its flesh is of an indifferent 
quality, and very lean. It is mostly used for bait. It 
lives on young crabs and other small shell-fish. It haunts 
marshy places near the shores: and may be caught with- 
a line baited with a worm, or the shell of a crab. 
Flying Fish. (. Exoccetus . PL 50.) The winged fly- 
ing fish, if we except its head and flat back, has, in the 
form of its body, a great resemblance to the herring. It 
is generally nine inches long, and full four round at the 
thickest part. The skin is uncommonly firm, and the 
scales are large and silvery. The pectoral fins are very 
long; and the dorsal fin is small, and placed near the tail, 
which is forked. The eye, in consequence of the large- 
ness of the head} is admirably suited for discovering 
