126 
GREATER FORKBEARD. 
With neijes from what may be termed an axillary plexus 
situated in the axilla of the fin, one branch of which passes 
along the course of the firm rays and sends off a branch to 
penetrate through it; while the other, which anastomoses 
with the first branch in the axilla, is carried along the posterioi 
margin These nerves are the largest I have found in the 
body of this fish, and their special function is shown by their 
proceeding from the spinal cord to their termination without 
communicating with any other nerve. 
Considerable confusion and doubt have existed with reo-ard 
to two or fcee species of this genus which bear a resembknee 
to each other; nor has the difficulty of distinguishing them 
been as yet cleared up. Eondeletius had long since given a 
gm-e of a fish of this genus, but as he was not acquainted 
with more than one species, and his plate is far from a good 
representation, there is little dependence to be placed on it 
as an authority on the question. But he gives a reason for 
the Latin and Greek name it bears, and which has now 
become the generic designation; and if we may depend upon 
the accuracy of the interpretation, which refers to the weeds 
of the sea, ff will give us some information regarding its 
habits, of which otherwise little is known. He informs us 
that It was well known to fishermen that this Forkbeard was 
in the habit of forming a nest for the hatching of its young 
among or of sea-weeds, and himself affirms that he was a 
witness of the truth of the fact. It is perhaps to this that 
the translator of Oppian refers when he speaks of fishes, that 
“They too, who like the mournful halcyons breed, 
And form a floating nest of slimy weed.” 
B. 1. 
But there is not a word of this in the original, where the 
Phycis is mentioned without any additional remark. The 
halcyons are excluded, and the sea-weed does not fio'at but 
lies at the bottom. And it is not improbable also that the 
observations of Eondeletius may be intended for another fish 
of the same genus; for it was Mr. Swainson’s opinion that in 
the Mediterranean there were, perhaps several which closely 
resembled each other, and Dr. Gunther mentions one of them 
