The Blepharis — The Opah. 
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THE BLEPHAEIS. (Blepharis ciliaris.) 
This species of the Dory is of a bright silver colour, 
with a cast of bluish- green on the back. Several of the 
last rays, both of the dorsal and anal fin, extend beyond 
the membrane, reaching even farther than the tail itself. 
It has been supposed that the smaller kind of fishes may 
be attracted with these long flexible filaments, and mis- 
take them for worms, while the Zeus, concealed among 
the sea-weeds, lies in wait for its prey. It is a native of 
the Indian seas. 
THE OPAH, OE KING FISH. (Lampris guttatus.) 
This is a most splendid fish, of a fine green colour on 
the back, and yellowish green on the belly. The back 
and sides exhibit brilliant purplish and golden tints, the 
whole surface is covered with numerous white spots, and 
the fins are of a beautiful vermilion colour; so magnifi- 
cent is its costume, that it has been justly remarked that 
it looks " like one of Neptune's lords dressed for a court 
day." The King Fish is found apparently in the seas 
of all parts of the world ; it is nowhere common, but 
seems to be more abundant in warm climates. 
