GURNARD (Trigla), a genus of fishes forming a group of the family Triglidae, recognized by the three first fin-rays of the pectoral fin being detached to form movable finger-like appendages, serving as organs of touch and of locomotion along the bottom, and by their large, angular, bony head. Gurnards are coast-fishes, generally distributed over the tropical and temperate areas ; of the 4o species known, six occur on the coast of Great Britain. Although never found far from the coast, gurnards descend to several hundred fathoms; they are caught chiefly by the trawl. In young fishes, the pectorals are comparatively longer than in the adult, extending to the end of the body. These fins are beau tifully coloured, especially in the young; they help to prevent the fish from sinking. When taken out of the water, gurnards emit a grunting noise produced by the vibrations of a perforated dia phragm across the cavity of the air-bladder. Their flesh is white, firm, and wholesome.