History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Mcgil. FISHES. ACANTHOPT. 217Eyes large irides ; purple.The tail is much forked.1st D. 7, 2d D. 9 ; P. 16 ; V. 7 ; A. 8 ; C. 20.—In reference to the Red Surmullet, M. barbatus, which for some time hasoccupied a place in the British Fauna, it may be stated, that its claim restson the following vague remark of Mr Pennant. M We have heard of thisspecies being taken on the coast of Scotland, but had no opportunity of examiningit ; and, whether it is found on the west of England with the otherspecies, or variety, we are not at this time informed."— Brit. Zool. iii. 273.No notice, however, is taken of this fish in the list of Scottish animals prefixedto Lightfoot's Flora Scotica, and composed by Mr Pennant.Gen. LXXX. MUGIL.Mullet.— Suborbitals denticulatedon the margin. Middle of the under jaw with a ridge,with a corresponding groove in the upper. Gill-flap of 6rays.159- M. Cephalus. Common Mullet.— Sides with broadlongitudinal lines on a silvery ground.Will. Ich. 274. Linn. Syst.i. 520. Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 329. Don.Brit. Fishes, t. 15 In the sea and estuaries.Length upwards of 18 inches. Back dusky ; belly silvery. Irides dusky.Vomer, palatines, and tongue, with small teeth. 1st D. 4 (with large scalesat the base), 2d D. 9 ; P. 17 ;V. \ (with a triangular process on each side, andone in the middle) ; A. §. Tail forked ;peritoneum black. When enclosedin a net they endeavour to effect their escape by leaping over the edges,which they do with great agility.Gen. LXXXI. ATHERINA.—Jaws protrusile. Cheekswith scales.160. A. Hepsctus. Atherine.— Side with a silvery longitudinalstripe:margin of the dorsal scales with black dots.Pisciculus anguella, Will. Ich. 209—A. Hep. Linn. i.Syst. 519. Penn.Brit. Brit. Zool. iii. 318. Don. Brit. Fishes, t. 87—E. Smelt, Melet.— In the sea and estuaries.Length 5 inches. Body, above, yellowish-brown, silver}' beneath ; pellucid.Head broad, depressed, with a mesial ridge.1st D. 8, 2d D. 11 ; P. 13;V. 6 ; A. 14-17 ;C. 15. Spawns in June.Gen. LXXXII. SCOMBER. Mackerel.—Posterior portionsof the second dorsal and anal fins subdivided intospurious finlets.161. S. vulgaris.Common Mackerel.—Five spurious finsabove and below. Second dorsal and anal fins triangular.S. Merr. Pin. 187- Sibb. Scot. 24. Will. Ich. 181—S. Scomber, Linn.Syst. i. 492. Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 264. Don. Brit. Fishes, t. 120.—British Seas common.Length 15 inches. Body compressed, angular and slender towards thetail; bluish green above, with dark transverse bands ; beneath silvery. 1st