CENTI1I'SCUS (Linnrens), a genus of Fishes belonging to the section Acanthoptcryyii and to the family Fistularidte. The species of this genus are principally distinguished by their having a long tubular anent, from which character they have received the names of Sea-Snipes, Trumpet-Fish, &c. The body is inclining to an oblong oval form, compressed, carinated beneath, and covered with scales. The mouth is small, obliquely cleft, and devoid of teeth. Thera are two dorsal fins ; the rays of the first (which is placed very far back) are spinout; the ventral fins are small, and situated behind the pectorals.
Centriscus Scolopax (Linnteus), the Tnimpet-Fish or Sea-Snipe (known in Cornwall by the name of the Bellows-Fish), is the only species yet discovered off the British coat, where it is rare ; the Mediterranean appears to be its natural locality. Its length is about five inches; the body is oval and compressed ; the snout is elongated, and forms a tube which extends about an inch and a half before the eyes, which are large ; the back is elevated, and the part for some little distance anterior to the first dorsal fin is straight, whence it tapers rather suddenly to the tail. The anterior spine of the first
dorsal (which has but three rays) is very large and denticulated beneath; the rays of the second dorsal are soft ; the anal fin is elongated; the ventrala are.small, and have a depression behind them in which they may be lodged. The body is covered with bard rough scales, which are minutely ciliated on the external edge.
Young specimens of this fish are of a shining silver-like colour ; the adult specimens are reddish, with the sides of the head and under parts silvery or slightly tinted with a golden hue.
There is a figure of this curious fish given in Yarrell'a ' British Fishes,' and also in Donovan's 'British Fishes.' The genus Amphisik of Klein is closely allied to, and was included in the genus Centriscus by Linnaeus; the species have the back mailed with larger scaly plates, of which tho anterior spine of the first dorsal fin appears to be a continuation.