THE POMFILUS. 
201 
fins are four, two pectoral and two ventral, befides a 
large dorfal and an anal fin, each extending to the tail. 
From its remote habitation in the ocean, this fiih is but 
rarely caught ; and even in the Italian markets, where 
it is fometimes fold, it has no appropriated name. 
Another remarkable fi(h of this genus is the hippurus, 
alfo an inhabitant of the ocean, and never found upon 
°ur coafts. Rondeletius had an opportunity of examin- 
ln g this animal in Spain, where it is called lampugo, and 
appeared to him to be diftinguiihed from the whole finny 
tribe by its fuperior beauty *. Immediately above the 
toftrum, there arifes a large creft-like fin, which conti- 
nues uninterrupted to the tail, where it meets with a fi- 
milar fin upon the belly. The pe&oral fins are rounded 
a nd broad, refe ■ bling ears ; the ventral extend the half 
length of the body. The mouth is moderately large, 
armed in the jaws, palate, and tongue, with fmall lharp 
teeth. The eyes are large ; the body covered with fmall 
fcaies, and of a pale blue colour. 
The ancient natural ids believed, that this animal lay 
l‘*d in a dormant Hate during winter, like the fer* 
P e nt 5 and that its young increafed in fize in a far more 
ra pid manner than thofe of any other fiih. The Spanijh 
Hftiermen, after taking the young, ihut them up in pools, 
Xv here they pretend that a difference of their fize is per- 
Ce ivable every clay f . The other filhes of this genus are 
Softly peculiar to South America, and are only known 
I the barbarous names affixed to them by the natives, 
De pifcibns. -f Ariftotle Hift. Animal, lib, 5. cap. |q. 
C c 
Vot. III. 
