241 
SHORT SEA BREAM. 
Pagellus Ctirtus , Zoologist; vol. ii., p. 394. 
“ “ Gunther’s Catalogue Br. Museum, 
vol. i., p. 377. 
On the 2nd. of September, 1843, a fisherman of Polperro 
took with one of his ordinary baits a Sea Bream, which he 
presently discerned never before to have laUen under his notice; 
and in consequence it was transferred to my possession as soon 
as he reached the land, which was before sufficient time had 
passed to allow it to undergo any change. At the first inspec- 
tion I was led to suppose that this example was nothing more 
than a deformed specimen of the Common Sea Bream; and 
such perhaps wiU he the opinion of some naturalists, until at 
least another example with similar characters is obtained, and 
renewed observation shall compel them to review their opinion. 
But for myself, on close examination, I found tliis example to 
differ in so many particulars besides its shortened form, that I 
was induced to believe it more probably a distinct species ; nor 
has the objection to this opinion appeared to me a very for- 
midable one, — that no more than a single specimen has come 
under the observation of naturalists; for the same remark may 
be made of other species of fishes midoubtedly distinct, but of 
which a single example only is on record. That no species 
nearly resembling it is described by former authors, however 
widely extended their observations, is only a proof of its rarity, 
and not of its behig an abnormal formation of nature. 
The length of this fish was fourteen inches, the greatest 
depth nine inches and a half; and in proportion to its kindred 
species the Common Sea Bream, it was of considerable thickness. 
Under jaw slightly the longest; tlie teeth in front and forward 
on the sides slight, conical, and somewhat scattered; gape 
moderate. Eye very large, being an inch and three fourths 
across; nostrils in a depression before the eyes, in this respect 
