320 
THE WRASSE. 
m r 
Genus XXXVI. — ¥$>e WraJJi. 
\ 
X jie fiihes of this tribe are diftinguifhed by a flat ana 
oval body ; fmall imbricated and rei'plendent fins ; a com- 
preffed head ; double lips covering their long conic and 
blunt teeth. The coverts of the gills are fcaly ; the tad 
round ; and one dorfal fin reaching the whole length °- 
the back, having a Header fkin extended beyond each 
ray : The anal fin is diflinguilhed by the fame addition* 
The fcari, fo famous among the ancients, are of this g e ' 
nus : they were deemed fuperior to the flurgeon *■ 
Gefner quotes from Galen high encomiums on the fain- 
brity of their fiefh. Arijlotle, Pliny, Oppian, and Ovid> 
all concur in a vulgar and unphilofophical notion that 
was anciently prevalent concerning the rumination c 
tliefe animals : The two firft of thefe authors do not b 1 ' 
deed pronounce with confidence, or aflert upon their oW# 
knowledge a fa& fo extraordinary, but deliver it as 3 
common opinion. 
But whatever ideas the ancients entertained upon tht’ 
fubjedl, it is fo contrary to the analogy of nature, for a n / 
of this clafs of the animal kingdom to chew the cud, *b^ £ 
it merits no credit till confirmed by indubitable exp erI 
ments. After examining the teeth, throat, and inteftb ie9 
of the falmon, fcarus, giit-head, and mullet, and all tho^ 
fillies that have been confidered as ruminating, non e 
the 
JFlhiii, Lib. ;x. c, I/.- 
