132 
ray’s bream. 
the arrangement of the scales which cover the dorsal fin. The 
vertical number of the rows of scales in the first-named fish 
was eighteen, and in the latter thirty-four. The dorsal and 
anal fins were without scales, and set in a deep furrow that 
was bordered on the sides with a row of large scales. The 
fin rays are said to be of the dorsal forty-six, anal forty, 
pectoral twenty, ventral six, and the tail twenty. 
How much of the discrepancy between this description and 
that which I shall proceed to give of an example taken in 
Cornwall, (figured below,) can be ascribed to the confessedly 
mutilated condition of the northern fish, will only be a matter 
of opinion; but if finally it should be decided that they are 
only variations of one species, they form a neAV and remarkable 
portion of the history of this curious fish. 
The specimen which came under my own inspection measured 
about seventeen inches in length, and, e.xclusive of the fins, was 
five inches and a half in depth; the snout blunt, sloping 
suddenly above the eyes; angle of the mouth depressed; teeth 
numerous, sharp, incurved, the four in front of the under jaw 
very long. Body thin, deep. Dorsal fins appearing as two, 
the first having flexible rays, the second long and narrow, and 
there was no reason to suppose that the appearance of tAvo 
dorsal fins was owing to a rent or injury. Tail deeply divided; 
pectorals long; ventral fin with a wing, by which means each 
fin seemed double; anal fin fleshy and somewhat expanded at 
its origin, obscure in its progress. No visible lateral line. A 
broad band from eye to eye. Colour blue, deeper on the 
back. Covered with large scales, as well on the body as the 
fins, so that the dorsal and anal appeared like an extension of 
the body, and I found it impossible to count the rays. 
