FATHER-LASHER. 79 



is frequently left by the receding tide in small pools among 

 rocks. When touched, it distends its gill-covers, and sets 

 out its numerous spines, assuming a most threatening ap- 

 pearance. This species spawns in January, and the ova at 

 that time are very large, and of a fine orange yellow colour. 

 These are deposited near the sea-shore, frequently in the 

 estuaries, and sometimes even in rivers ; the fish having pre- 

 pared itself for this change by its previous residence in the 

 brackish water, after which it appears to be able to bear 

 either extreme. Its food is small crustaceous animals, and it 

 is said to be particularly partial to feeding on the fry of the 

 Blennies. 



D. 8 12 : P. 16 : V. 1 + 3 : A. 9 : C. 10. 



In Cottus bubalis the space between the. eyes is much nar- 

 rower than in the C. scorpius ; the eyes in position more 

 vertical, the crest above the eyes on each side more elevated, 

 nearly straight, and ending at the nape in a spine directed 

 backwards, forming a pair of occipital spines ; hides yellow, 

 pupils black : preoperculum with four spines, the upper 

 one the longest, and reaching, says Dr. Parnell, beyond the 

 posterior edge of the gill-cover ; operculum with three spines, 

 besides the scapular, clavicular, and nasal spines, similar to 

 those of C. scorpius : gill-openings large ; in general colour 

 very similar to that last described, and both species exhibit 

 occasional variations in the intensity of the red, the green, 

 and the brown tints ; lateral line rough : the ventral fins in 

 this species are devoid of the connecting membrane observ- 

 able in C. scorpius. The males are the finest in colour. 



Some circumstances observable in the economy of this 

 species lead to the introduction here of a few observations on 

 the respiration of fishes, in reference to their power of sus- 

 taining life when taken out of the water, and its supposed 

 connexion with the size of the gill-aperture. 



