26 
STREAKED GURNARD. 
less frequently caught than from its numbers might otherwise 
be supposed likely. Except in one or two rare instances, I 
have only obtained it from trammels set to catch Surmullets; 
but it is also taken with the trawl. In its stomach I have 
found remains of small crabs and other crustaceous animals, 
and small stones ; hut Mr. Thompson found what appeared to 
he vegetable matter, with a young sole and several sorts of 
crabs. William Thompson, Esq., of Weymouth, who obtained 
this fish at that place, found several dwarf swimming crabs and 
small stones in the stomach. 
It reaches the length of from twelve to fourteen inches; the 
head moderate in proportion to the body, which is throughout 
round and plump. The eyes elevated and near together; the 
front sloping rather suddenly to the snout, which is not pro- 
truded, and but slightly toothed; under jaw a little the shortest; 
teeth just enough to give a slight roughness; cheek plates 
regularly and finely radiated. Front of the orbit with four 
short spines; a ridge behind the eye, followed by another 
ending in a blunt spine; a slight spine on the hindmost plate 
of the gill-cover — the largest above the pectoral fin. Lateral 
line straight, having a serrated ridge, the points directed back- 
ward. First dorsal high; the first spinous ray with rough 
tubercles of small size along its anterior margin, and so with 
the second where it rises above the first; both dorsals enclosed 
in a groove formed by proj(!cting ridges of thin tubercles 
V'hich have toothed edges. Pectoral fins large, reaching con- 
siderably beyond the vent. The separate fingers rather short; 
caudal fin straight, except the outer rays, which are slightly 
lengthened. Colour of the head, mouth, back, dorsal and 
caudal fins, vermilion, but in some examples dusky red, the 
dorsal fins with bars more or less strongly marked, and with 
some clouds of pink. The ridges which pass round the body 
are strongly pencilled with deeper red, and anteriorly below, 
sometimes with reticulations. The fingers barred with alternate 
rings of yellow or green and red; along the back some dark 
spots. Pectoral fins red, with spots and lines of green and 
blue, bordered with blue. 
Fin rays — first dorsal ten, second dorsal seventeen, anal 
seventeen, pectoral ten (divided,) ventral six. The two last 
rays of the anal fin from one root, but subject to variation. 
