Plate Number: II 18

Novacula Caerulea: The Blue Fish

Some of these Fish are twice the Bignesss of this; but I think they are seldom found much larger. The Head is of an odd Structure and like that of the Whale, which produces the Sperma Ceti; the Mouth is small, each Mandible armed with a single Row of even Teeth so closely joined that they seem entire Bones ; the Iris of the Eye red. On the Back was a long pliant Finn, somewhat indented on the Edge ; Behind the Gills were two Finns, one under the Abdomen, and another behind the Anus ; the Tail forked; The whole Fish entirely blue. They are frequently taken among the Bahama Islands, and in most of the Seas between the Tropicks.