168 ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



second. Pectoral large, and reaching to above the vent, none of its upper rays 

 silk-like. Ventral reaches the vent, its basal membrane well developed. Caudal 

 somewhat rounded. Scales somewhat angular in form and ctenoid, none in 

 front of dorsal fins. Colours body light brown, with irregular bands, and two 

 dark marks radiating from the lower edge of the eye. Fins light coloured, the 

 dorsals with three or more rows of spots, and a dark outer edge. Pectoral and 

 anal light coloured, the latter with a dark outer edge. Caudal with a dark 

 lower margin. 



The example figured " when alive, was remarkable for the brilliant colours on 

 both dorsal fins, they are thus described in my diary, brilliant blue and green 

 reflections (in the form of spots) on both dorsal fins (as bright as the elytra of 

 the diamond beetle under a low power) when the sunlight falls upon them." 

 (A. Walker, Esq, MSS.) 



Habitat. From the shores of Scandinavia and Denmark to Great Britain, 

 while it has likewise been captured in the Channel off the coast of France. 



It appears to be a small species, the example figured life-size, having been 

 captured in Colwyn Bay, ofl' the Welsh coast, by A. Walker, Esq. of Chester, who 

 was good enough to send it to me. Professor Ltitken has likewise sent me a 

 similar example from Copenhagen. 



7. Gobius quadrimaculatus, Plate LIII, fig. 2. 



Gobuis quadrimaculatus, Cuv. and Val. xii, p. 44; Guichen. Explor. Sc. Alger. 

 p. 78 ; Canestr. Arch. Zool. t. i, p. 139, pi. viii, f. 1 ; Steind. Ich. Span, u, Port. 

 1868, p. 53 ; Moreau, Poiss. France, ii, p. 210 ; Giglioli, Pesc. Ital. p. 29. 



Gobius Jeffrey sii, Giinther, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, (3) xx, 1867, p. 290, 

 pi. v, fig. C. and (4) xiii, 1874, p. 139; Collett, Norges Fis. p. 54 (with elongated 

 dorsal spine). 



B. iv-v, D. 6 | 7 _Vo, P. 17, V. 1/5, A. T J^ C. 13, L. 1. 37-40, L. tr. 7-8. 



Length of head 4| to 4^-, of caudal fin 6| to 6f , height of body 6|- to 7 in 

 the total length. Eye diameter 3^ in the length of the head, 1 diameter from 

 the end of the snout and close together. Head slightly higher than wide, snout 

 somewhat pointed and slightly depressed : lower jaw a little the longer : the 

 posterior extremity of the maxilla reaches to beneath the middle of the eye. 

 Fins the interspace between the two dorsal fins slight : the height of the first 

 dorsal may equal or even exceed that of the body, while in some individuals the 

 second spine is prolonged, extending when laid flat even to the end of the base 

 of the second dorsal : second dorsal as high as the body. Pectoral large, and 

 without any silk-like rays. Ventrals do not quite reach the vent. Anal with a 

 base of less extent than that of the second dorsal. Caudal rounded. Scales 

 ctenoid : none anterior to the dorsal fins. Colours yellowish gray, becoming 

 light beneath, and a dark mark descending from the eye : four or five dark spots 

 along the middle of the body in adults. Dorsal fins with three rows of spots. 

 Caudal and anal with dark edges. 



Habitat. Deep sea off the Shetland Isles, but not recorded elsewhere from 

 the Atlantic : found off the Mediterranean shores of Europe. It is common at 

 Nice, and along the Italian coasts. 



The example figured, life size, is one from the Shetland Isles, and in the 

 National collection. 



