[ 5*8 ] 
XX. The Defcriptio?t of a Fifh, fjewed to the 
Royal Society by Mr. Ralph Bigland, on 
March 22, 1749-50: Drawn up by 
C. Mortimer, M. D. Secret . R. S. 
Read July 5,/^ W H I S Pifh is fmooth-skin n’d, has 
I,S ° JL no Scales, nor Teeth. It has one 
ered Fin on its Back, which arifes below its Neck, 
and runs wishin a little of its Tail. On each Side 
about the Middle, between its Back and Belly, be- 
hind the Gills is a Fin : From the Bottom and Mid- 
dle of its Belly, a little forward of the Vent, arife a 
Pair of Fins : From behind the Vent runs one Fin, 
within a little of the Tail: The Tail-Fin is iar°;e 
and forked. Its Eyes arc large 5 the lrides are fear- 
let, encompaffed with a Circle of a gold Colour 
verged with fcarlet. Its Nofhils are placed above its 
Eyes. The Back, and upper Part of the Body quite 
to the Tail, was of a dark blue, or violet Colour ; thefc, 
and the Sides of the Body, which were of a bright 
green, were all fpecklcd with oblong white Spots; 
the Chaps were of a pale red j the Nofe, Gills, and 
Belly, were of a filver Colour; and all the Fins of a 
bright fcarlet. 
It was 3 Feet 7 Inches long, and 3 Feet 10 Inches 
round in the thickeft Part. It weighed 82 Pounds. Its 
Mouth is fmallj its Tongue was thick, almofl like a 
human Tongue in Shape, but rough, and thick-fet with 
Beards or Prickles, which pointed backwards ; fo 
that any thing might eaftly pafs down, but could 
not eaftly flip back again ; therefore thefe might ferve 
inflead of Teeth for retaining its Prey or Food. Its 
Gills refembie thofe of a Salmon. Its Body grows 
very 
1 
» 
