PLATE XCVIL 
■'^iJe at their basis : the two belly fins were eleven inches long and 
wide at their basis : it seems to be a new species of fish, not yet 
‘^^scribcd by any author.” Dr. Mortimer adds, that the Prince of 
•^oamaboo, a country on the coast of Africa, being then in England, 
^^cognized the fish immediately as a species common on that coast, 
^nd said it was good to eat. 
In the year 1769, another specimen was taken near Newcastle, 
of which the following account was written by Mr. Robert Harrison, 
"f that place. 
“ Newcastle, Sept. I2th, 1769. On Saturday last was thrown 
’^Pon the sands at Blyth, a very rare and beautiful fisb, weighing 
between seventy and eighty pounds ; shaped like the Sea-Bream : the 
*®ngth was three feet and a half ; the breadth, from back to belly, 
^huost two feet ; but the thickness, from side to side, not above six 
'nches : the mouth small for the size of the fish, forming a square 
opening, and without any teeth in the jaws : the tongue was thick, 
’■esembling that of a man, but rough, and thick set with beards or 
prickles, so that any thing might easily pass down, but could not 
easily j-gi-m-jj back; therefore these might serve instead of teeth to 
retain its prey : the eyes remarkably large, covered with a membrane, 
^rrd shining with a glare of gold; the cover of the gills like the 
Salmon ; the body diminishes very small to the tail, which is forked, 
^rrd expands twelve inches : the gill-fins are broad, about eight inches 
^°rig, and play horizontally : a little behind their insertion the back 
Irrt takes its original, where it is about seven inches high, but slopes 
^cry suddenly, running down very near the tail, and at its termination 
becomes a little broader ; the belly-fins are very strong, and placed 
r'*^<ir the middle of the body : a narrow fin also runs from the anus 
