PLATE CXVI 
“ maxlllis medio hiantibus,” assigned to it by Mr. Rackett in die 
paper above mentioned is by no means applicable. 
Some misunderstanding seems to prevail likewise with regard to 
the colour of the fish : Mr. Pennant describes it as having the back 
dusky, and the belly bright and silvery ; in which particulars he is 
followed by Dr. Shaw, who remarks that the colour of the whole 
animal is dusky above and silvery beneath, or that with equal pro- 
priety it might be said to be silvery, with dusky or bluish brown 
back. This is not, however, the fact ; the trtie colour of the fish 
on the back is a most lovely azure blue, changeable to green, and 
glossed With purple and yellow instead of dusky, and the lower 
parts silvery. The fish in this respect does not appear to be de- 
scribed correctly by any writer except Mr. Rackett, who defines 
it with accuracy in his general description, “ Dorsum vk idi-caru- 
by the Rev. Mr. Rackett, I observe, that the skin appears reticulated by fine liner, 
decussating each other at equal distances.”— This is most assuredly not the natural ap- 
pearance of the fish ; the decussating lines are no doubt intended merely to reprefent the 
teales of the fish. The figure given in the British Zoology is still more erroneous, as it 
appears entirely smooth and destitute of any scale-like appearance. But a greater 
defect than this in the drawing above adverted to, remains to be mentioned : this relates 
to the spurious fins at the posterior part of the body both above and beneath, which, in- 
stead of being distinct, arc seen running one into the other, as if connected by a common 
membrane tlirbughout, while in the fish itself those fins are perfectly detached from 
each other. The figure in the British Zoology is less exceptionable in this respect, but 
even these are inexpressive, every pinnule appearing to be attached by its posterior ray 
close to the body of the fish. There appears to be also some mistake with regard to the 
number of those fin3; iu the figures above noticed, these amount to six above, and six 
beneath, but in the specimen now before us the number on the upper part is fire, and 
beneath seven, — It was conceived necessary to be thus minute, in order to nlaee the 
description of this ambiguous, aud little known species ia its true point of view. 
