228 
NATCRAL HISTORY 
GURNARD. 
There are numerous species of this fish, 
many of which inhabit the shores of this 
country. The Gurnard has a slender bony; 
the head is nearly four-cornered, and is 
covered with a bony coat; the fin covering 
the gills has seven spines; the pectoral and 
ventral fins are strengthened with additional 
muscles and bones, and are very large foi 
the size of the animal. The back in colour 
is of a dusky green, with spots of black, yel- 
low, and white; the belly silvery. In the 
Mediterranean they are very numerous, and 
are frequently brought to the markets o 
Malta and Sicily. They deposit their ova 
near the sea shores, about May or June, in 
flavour they nre similar to the haddock. 
