Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/164

150 .); which we here figure and describe from our own observations on specimens newly caught. It attains a total length of about six inches: the body is of a purple hue more or less brilliant; the dorsal, anal, and ventrals are of a rich azure

blue, the two former marked with longitudinal lines of dark brown. The caudal lancets are short, hard, and glassy; and are enclosed in a yellow membranous sheath. This species is common on the coasts of Jamaica and the other Antilles, where it is eaten, but is not much esteemed.