MAIGRES. 
91 
; and caudal fin are frequently inclined upwards in 
a slight degree : and finally, there are in general 
a few scales on the basal part of the dorsal or 
I dorsals, of which fins, as in the PercadcE^ some 
genera have one much lengthened but continuous, 
others indented by a depression more or less deep, 
and others completely divided into two. 
Some of the Maigres attain a great size, and 
some are adorned with rich colours and brilliant 
metallic reflections ; but elegance of form is not, 
in general, one of their characteristics. Their 
I flesh is highly esteemed for the table. 
Genus Sci^na. (Linn.) 
1 ! 
I The head in this genus is large^ and as it were 
li inflated, supported by cavernous bones : there 
!: are two separated dorsal fins ; the spines of the 
i;; anal are weak and slender, and that fin is short ; 
i| the operculum terminates in one or more spines, 
and the pre-operculum is serrated ; but the notches 
are apt to be effaced by age. There is a single 
row of strong teeth in each jaw, and a narrow 
I line of small ones in the upper ; but none on the 
vomer or palate : there are seven gill-rays. The 
; whole head is clothed with scales ; the two strong 
I bones of the ears are larger than in most other 
i fishes ; the chin is not furnished with cirri or 
I beards ; the air-bladder is often curiously fringed. 
! The species inhabit the Mediterranean, Atlantic, 
and Indian seas. 
j The waters that lave our own coasts occasion- 
ally produce specimens of a noble ScicEna which 
attains a length of six feet, and a bulk propor- 
tionate. It is the Maigre of the French [Scicena 
