SNAPPERS. 
209 
)ScyUarus cEquinoctialis), that had found his way into 
the prison among the fishes. A few shrimps, and 
other creatures of smaller size, were seen in some of 
the pots as they were drawn up ; but these waited 
not to be lifted out of the water, darting through the 
interstices of the wicker-work as it approached the 
surface. The others were left disconsolate, to mourn 
their imprudence, in getting in, without first inquiring 
how they were to get out. Poor things ! as they 
roamed round their narrow walls, and looked through 
the grating at their fellows enjoying freedom, perhaps 
they philosophically repeated, in piscine phrase, the 
poet’s reflection : — 
“ Facills descensus • . . . ; 
Noctes atque dies patet atri janua corUs ; 
Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad undas. 
Hoc opus, hie labor est. 
The most esteemed fishes for the table, and the 
most common, are the Snappers, Yellow-tails, Silks, 
and Hinds (various species of Serranina^ or Marine 
Perches), and the Grunts and Squirrels (species of 
ScicEnadee), Many of these are fishes of brilliant 
colours : the Yellow-tail {Mesoprion chrysurus)^ for 
example, is pale azure on the back, and pearly white 
below, with a broad band along each side, of the 
richest yellow, which is the hue also of the dorsal and 
caudal fins. The Dog-tooth Snapper {Mesoprion 
cynodon ?) is white, with six transverse dark bands ; 
each scale on the belly has a border of golden lustre ; 
and all the fins are rich yellow. The Spotted 
Snapper {M. uninotatus) is white, traversed by longi- 
