362 A DESCRIPTION OP 
THE GURNARD. (Trigla cuculus.) 
THIS genus is divided into several species. The Red 
Gurnard has its fins and body of a bright red colour ; and 
the head is large, and covered with strong bony plates. 
The eyes are large, round, and vertical. The mouth is 
large ; and the palate and jaws are armed with sharp 
teeth. The gill-membrane has seven rays. The back 
has a longitudinal spinous groove on each side. There 
are slender articulate appendages at the base of each 
pectoral fin. It is not unfrequent on the southern shores 
of England ; and is often seen exposed in the fish-markets 
of the maritime towns of Dorset and Devonshire, as 
well as in Cornwall. It is a pleasant-tasted fish, when 
properly stuffed and baked. The flavour is similar to 
that of the haddock. 
Whilst it is in the water, the colours of the Red Gur- 
nard are almost beyond conception brilliant and beautiful, 
particularly in the broad glare of sunshine, as they then 
vary, in the most pleasing manner, with every motion of 
the fish. 
The Grey Gurnard usually measures from one to two 
feet in length. The extremity of the head, in front, is 
armed on each side with three short spines. The forehead 
and the covers of the gills are silvery ; and the latter are 
