195 
SEEEANUS. 
This genus has a single dorsal fin, although two classes of rays 
support its two divisions. Bays of the gill membrane seven m 
number. Eirst gill-cover serrated, the hindmost with one or more 
points or spines. Covering of the jaws smooth. 
CO^^BER. 
SMOOTH SEURANXTS. 
Serranus GdbriUn, 
ii ‘‘ 
it « 
Chann'e, 
Channa, 
Perea Cahrilla, 
JPolocentre serran, 
Perea cTiannus, 
CeviEB. 
Yahuell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. H. 
Guhtheh; Cat. Br. Museum, vol, i. p. 106. 
JouSTON; Artioulus 8. 
WlllOUGlIBY, p. 327. 
LiknjEUS. Jenyns; Manual, p. 332. 
Eisso. 
Loudon’s Mag. Mat. Hist., vol. v, p. 20. 
This is a common fish in the west of the kingdom, and 
probably also along the south coast of Ireland; but it was 
long overlooked by naturalists, and supposed to be confined 
to L Mediterranean, where it appears to have been con- 
founded, under the name of Sea Perch, with anther species 
which it much resembles both in appearance and habits the 
Serranus scriba, a species that has not been found in Bri am 
The Comber usually keeps in rocky ground at a small dis 
tance from land, and is well known to fishermen who often 
find it in their wicker crab-pots, which it enters for the sake 
of the baits that are hung up to entice the crabs and lobsters; 
but the result is that they become the bait they sought to 
devour They are seldom brought to the market, and when 
caught’ on the line are usually converted into bait for other 
