98 
ACANTHOPTERYGII. — SPARID^. 
appearance, their sides presenting the likeness of 
silver and burnished steel, in which are imbedded 
longitudinal parallel bands of gold. 
Genus Pagellus, (Cuv.) || 
The present Genus belongs to the first of the 
sub-families, mentioned above. It is charac- 
terized by the teeth in the front half of the jaws 
being numerous, close-set, slender, and pointed ; 
those in the rear being rounded molars, disposed in 
two or three rows, those of the outer row the most 
powerful. There is but a single dorsal fin, which 
is lengthened, and composed of both spinous and [ 
flexible rays ; the pectorals are pointed ; the 
cheeks and gill-covers are covered with scales; 
the form is deeper than thick ; the outline of 
both the belly and the back is rounded. i 
The species of the genus Pagellus are common 
in the Mediterranean, and on the shores of the 
Atlantic, as far north as Denmark, beyond which ■ 
^ they appear to be unknown. Three are found J 
on our own coasts, two of which are rare and i 
accidental visitants, and one is a common fish. i 
The Common Sea-Bream {Pagellus centrodon- 
tus, Cuv.) is about a foot and a half long, six 
inches deep, and two and a half inches thick ; its 
form is much compressed, its outline both above J 
and below gracefully swelling. The eye is enor- : 
mous, and this gives it a peculiar appearance ; the : 
wide iris is golden or silvery. The hue of the , 
upper parts is reddish-grey, the sides and belly f 
pearly, with faint blue stripes running longitudi- 
nally. The dorsal and anal fins are strong and 
spinous, and are lodged in a singular groove ; they 
