The Gurnard, 445 
The Grey Gurnard (Trigla gurnardus) 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 ; the latter being finely radiated. The body is 
covered with small scales ; the upper parts are of a 
deep grey, spotted with white and yellow, and some- 
times with black ; and the lower parts silvery. About 
the months of May and June, the Grey Gurnards ap 
proach the shores in considerable shoals, for the pur- 
pose of depositing their spawn in the shallows ; at other 
times they reside in the depths of the ocean, where they 
have a plentiful supply of food in crabs, lobsters, and 
other shell-fish, on which it is supposed they for the 
most part feed. They are occasionally found on the 
shores of Great Britain and Ireland, in the spawning 
season. 
The Lucerna is caught in the Mediterranean Sea, and 
is of a very curious shape ; its fins about the gills being 
so large, and spreading so much like a fan on each side, 
that they appear somewhat like wings. The tail is 
bifid, and the scales very small. The flesh is esteemed 
among the Italians, and the Lucerna is often seen in the 
fish-markets of Naples, Venice, and other towns on the 
sea-shore. This fish much resembles the Father Lasher 
and the Gurnard ; and it is called Lucerna because it 
shines in the dark. 
The Flying Gurnard (Dadyloptera M editerranea), which 
is the commonest flying-fish of the Mediterranean Sea, is 
about a foot long ; it is brown above, reddish below, 
and has blackish fins spotted with blue. The pectoral 
fins with which it supports itself in the air are of im- 
mense extent. On each operculum there is a long and 
pointed spine, with which the fish can inflict severe 
wounds. 
