DORY, Zeus, a genus of fishes, the type of a family, Wider, which is sometimes regarded as merely a group of the great family of scomberida3, but is at least a very dis tinct group, characterized not only by an oval and much compressed form of body, but also by a protractile mouth. The teeth are feeble. The species of zeidce are distributed in the seas of all parts of the world, although only three occur on the British coasts, and two of these are very rare (see BOAR-FISH and In the D. genus, the general surface of the body is smooth and destitute of scales, but spiny scales or bony shields guard the dorsal and ventral edges. The anterior portions of the dorsal and anal fins are spiny, and are very distinctly separated from the spineless portions; the spines of the dorsal fin are prolonged into long filaments, and the tail-fin is rounded. The British species (zees faber), popularly known as the Join DORY, sometimes attains a considera ble size: Pennant mentions one which weighed 12 lbs.; but it is seldom seen of much more than 18 in. in length. It is principally found on the southern, and particularly the south-western coasts of England, visiting them, apparently, in pursuit of pilchards; but becomes more rare towards the north. It is highly esteemed for the table, having among
modern epicures pretty much the same reputation which it had among those of ancient. Rome. It is common in the Mediterranean. The name D. is generally supposed to be properly doree (gilt), and to refer to the prevailing yellowish color and golden luster of the fish; whilst the familiar appellation, John, is in like manner derived from jaune (yellow), although it has been suggested that it may rather be from the Gascon jau, cock—names signifying cock, sea-chicken, St. Peter's cock, etc., given to this fish in different languages. The D. has a remarkable dark spot on each side. An idle legend refers these spots to the finger and thumb of St. Peter, and the D. thus disputes with the haddock the honor of being reputed the fish from whose mouth he took the tribute money. Other species of D., very similar to the European, are found in the seas of other parts of the world—one of them Australian, exhibiting similar dark spots.