MULLER S TOPKNOT. 



confirms the existence of two distinct species on our shores. 

 Though somewhat similar in the form of the body, the 

 colouring, and the spots, there are still the following well- 

 marked distinguishing specific characters. 



The hirtus of Muller, and those included in the syno- 

 nymcs here given, have the eye or coloured side only of the 

 body rough ; the under side smooth ; the eyes and mouth 

 small : the first ray of the dorsal fin not longer than the 

 succeeding rays ; the ventral and anal fins united ; the dorsal 

 and anal fins also connected to the tail by a membrane ; the 

 tail short and rounded ; the scales of the body when detached 

 higher than wide. 



The punctatus of Bloch, and the fishes included under the 

 synonymes given with the next species, have both sides of 

 the body rough ; the eyes large and prominent ; the mouth 

 larger than in hirtus, and not placed so obliquely ; the first 

 ray of the dorsal fin elongated; the ventral and anal fins 

 separated ; the tail rather long ; the scales of the body when 

 detached wider than high. 



The hirtus of Muller appears to be the most common 

 species of the two ; but neither occur very frequently. Dr. 

 Parnell has obtained it in the Forth, where it is occasionally 

 caught in the crab-cages. I have received a specimen from 

 Dr. George Johnston, which was taken near Berwick Bay ; 

 and I am indebted to Professor Henslow of Cambridge for a 

 drawing of one taken in the Medway. Dr. John Harwood, 

 of St. Leonard's, possesses a specimen taken on the Sussex 

 coast ; and both Colonel Montagu and Mr. Hamner obtained 

 specimens in Devonshire. 



Mr. Couch considers it not an uncommon fish in the West 

 of England, and has furnished me with two examples, from 

 one of which the figure was taken. It appears to keep among 

 rocks, where it is not readily distinguished, on account of the 

 similarity in its colour to the sea-weed ; and it is chiefly taken 



