80 
Mr. Covcn on the Natural History 
When in high season, the colour behind the head is a fine 
green, towards the tail it is a reddish-orange ; the belly has 
a lighter tinge of the same colour. When out of season the 
whole is a dusky-lead colour. It weighs about three pounds. 
These three species feed principally on sea-weeds, for the 
digestion of which they are furnished with long and capa- 
cious intestines ; their teeth also are well adapted for bruis- 
ing this food previous to its being swallowed. 
Lannvus. 
Common Wrasse. L. Tinca.—This fish keeps in rocky ground, 
and feeds on crustaceous animals. The old Wrasse com- 
monly assumes the dominion of his district, and keeps the 
younger ones af a distance; so that their numbers most 
abound where they are most fished for. They are not much 
esteemed as food. 
Bimaculated Wrasse. L.bimaculatus.—Although this species is 
mentioned as a Cornish fish, I am not acquainted with it; 
but perhaps this will not be deemed a sufficient reason for 
doubting its existence as a distinct species. 
Cook. L. Coquus.— The habits of this species and of L. comber 
are similar. In the summer they are found near the shore ; 
in winter they pass into deeper water; but are taken by 
fishermen through the year, and are principally employed 
as bait for other fish. 
Besides these and L. cornubiensis, I have noticed another 
species, which is by fishermen confounded with the L. Tinca, 
and which I am unable to refer to any Linnean species. It 
differs from the common Wrasse in the following particulars: 
'The body is longer in proportion to its depth, and somewhat 
thicker; the ventral fins, which in the L. Tinca reach just to 
the anus, in this reach but two-thirds of that distance; a light- 
coloured 
