Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/102

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88
ACANTHOPTERYGII.—TRIGLADÆ.

rals, which resemble wings; and are on their inner or posterior surface of a fine deep blue colour, becoming scarlet near the last ray. All the other fins are tinged with scarlet, more or less distinctly; the caudal and the first dorsal brilliantly. The two dorsals are set in a groove, bounded by two rows of strong and sharp points pointing backwards; this furrow does not extend

HEAD OF GURNARD.

beyond the range of the two fins either in front or behind. The bony armour which encases the head, carries several spines; the front part of the orbit of each eye is armed with three small ones; the crown plate ends in a strong broad one on each side; the gill-cover, and the fore-gill-cover each carry one, and there is another stout and strong one pointing backwards, affixed to the