Ichth. Also 6 -ascapos, -oscopos. [L. ūranoscopus, or ad. Gr. οὐρανοσκόπος: see prec.] = STAR-GAZER 2.
α. 1584–7. Greene, Carde of Fancie, Wks. (Grosart), IV, 143. The Fish called Vranascapos.
1594. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 552. One fish … hath the eyes set in the top of the head, and therefore it is called by the Græcians vranoscopos.
β. 1591. [see URANOSCOPE].
[1623. Cockeram, Eng. Dict., III. Hence in Phillips.]
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl. s.v., The situation of the eyes of the Uranoscopus.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., VI. 306. The Uranoscopus,… the mouth flat; the eyes on the top of the head;… an inhabitant of the Mediterranean Sea.
1803. Shaw, Gen. Zool., IV. I. 130. The Weever was by Artedi considered as not generically distinct from the Uranoscopus.
1854. Badham, Halieut., 127. The name of this fish, uranoscopus, or ‘sky-gazer,’ is derived from the position of the eyes, which are singularly planted on the crown of the head.
