PISCES. 
105 
food, but is eaten by some of the natives who are able to overcome 
the prejudice against its extreme ugliness. 
*S. scroflna, 0. & Y. — The Mail or Bock Gurnard is also found 
in Brazil. At St. Helena, it inhabits the shallow water around the 
coast, and may be taken throughout the year, but is not much 
esteemed as food. 
Sebastes, C. & Y. 
*S. nigropunctatus, Gthr. — This splendid fish, the Deep-water 
Jack, peculiar to St. Helena, is excellent as food. It is caught 
throughout the year in 80 to 100 fathoms of water, and generally 
found to be dead when brought to the surface, being killed by 
hauling it ujd through so great a depth. 
Fam. Berycida;. 
Myripristis, Cuv. 
*M. jacobus, C. & Y. — Bastard Soldier, not very abundant at 
St. Helena, also found at the West Indies and Brazil. 
Holocentrum, Art. 
*H. longipinne, C. & V.- — The Soldier of St. Helena, also found 
in the West Indies, is taken along the shore in shallow water during 
the summer months. It is one of the best table fish. 
Polymixia, Lowe. 
P. nobilis, Lowe. — The Beard-fish is also found at Madeira; it 
inhabits deep water, and is rarely taken at St. Helena. 
Fam. Xiphiidce. 
Xiphias, Art. 
X. gladius, ? Linn. — The Sword-fish, which occurs also in the 
Mediterranean and the Atlantic Seas, is sometimes taken from deep 
water off St. Helena. 
Fam. Acronuridce. 
Acanthurus, Schn. 
A. chirurgus, Bl. — The Trooper of St. Helena. A fine fish, 
but rarely taken, though it inhabits shallow water near the shore. 
If is also found on the Atlantic coasts of tropical America and 
Africa. 
