SCI^NA. 
55 
distinction of the fishes. Rondeletius informs us that the 
fishmongers of Rome were of opinion that the fish known by 
the name of Coracinus was a smaller size of the species which 
they termed the Umbra, and that the fish Latus was the same 
when it had reached its largest growth. Gesner, after quoting 
this authority, goes on to say that the Urabrina, of which he 
has given a characteristic figure, is the same with that to 
which the French have assigned the name of INIaigre, and in 
this he is supported by the opinion of Lacepede, and which 
name he supposes it to bear from the pale appearance of its 
flesh, as if it were emaciated and bloodless. The Peis Rei or 
Royal Fish he supposes to be the same with the Latus, 
which he regards as not to be distinguished from the Umbra 
and Coracinus, although he had said before that the Umbra 
was furnished with a wart or tubercle on the chin, which the 
Coracinus and Latus did not possess. This author also refers 
to Rondeletius as assigning to the Umbra its characteristic 
maiks of oblique lines of golden and darker colour, which 
are said not to belong to the Coracinus and Latus; and 
there is no less a confounding of truth and error in the 
writings of Willoughby and Ray as regards these fishes, of 
which even Risso is not clear. 
It is by having recourse to the work of Lacepede, that 
we are the more effectually assisted to find our way out of 
this confusion, and to enable an observer to decide upon the 
distinction of these fishes when again found wandering to our 
shores. It is to be desired, however, that to avoid further 
confusion, the name of Maigre ought not to have place among 
the English names, for assuredly such a denomination must 
be inappropriate for a fish that is generally robust, and adorned 
with such resplendent colours as will not fail to attract the 
admiration of an observer. As definite marks of difference 
between this species and the Umbra, besides those diagonal 
lines or shades which ornament the sides of the latter when 
in its highest beauty, in the former the jaws are of equal 
length, and without a tubercle or barb at the chin. Serrations 
on the foremost of the gill-covers will usually be less distinct 
in age, and they not unfrequently vanish in such a degree 
as to shew how little we can depend on them for distinction 
of this species when fully grown; but in its early growth. 
