S69 
BALISTE8. 
The body compressed, the skin both of the head and body covered 
with regularly formed plates, which do not overlap each other like 
scales; the mouth small, with distinct, strong, and broad teeth. The 
gill openings simple, close above the pectoral fins. Two dorsal fins; 
the first with very strong spines, of which the first is much the 
longest, and of peculiar setting on, so that they can be depressed only 
in conjunction with each other. 
FILEFISH. 
CAPRISCUS. MEDITERRANEAN FILEFISH. 
Balistes caprisews, Linnaius. Willotjoiiby; p. 152, PI. I 19. 
“ “ CuVIEK. 
« “ Yakhell; Br. Pishes, vol. ii, p. 472. 
“ “ Jbntns; Manual, p. 492. 
This fish is an inhabitant of the Mediterranean, where Risso 
reports it as showing itself chiefly in the hot season of the 
year;' but it appears to be scarcely common even there, since 
Willoughby was not able to obtain an example, except as 
preserved in a museum; and he appears to have known nothing 
of another species of the same family, which is found in the 
same sea, and with which the one under consideration might 
be confounded; but which may be easily distinguished by its 
more lengthened shape, when the two are compared together. 
It was in the month of August, 1837, that the first British 
example on record was obtained on the coast of Sussex by J. 
G. Children, Esq.; and which is now preserved in the British 
Museum, but how it was taken is not stated. 
Another specimen is also said to have been met with in the 
Bay of Galway, in Ireland, but no further particulars are given; 
VOL. IV. 3 B 
