268 



GOBIAD.E. 



advance of the anal fin, which in length is equal to half the 

 length of the whole fish ; the first anal fin-ray shorter than 

 the second, the others are as long as those of the dorsal fin, 

 but the ends project further, the connecting membrane not 

 being so deep. 



The tail is rounded, or rather slightly lanceolate, the 

 central rays being the longest. The lateral line proceeds 

 from the tail in a direction straight to the upper edge of the 

 operculum, about its junction with which there are several 

 open mucous pores ; the membrane connecting both opercula 

 is continuous under the throat. 



The general colour of the body and fins is a pale brown, 

 mottled on the sides with darker brown ; the head, the ante- 

 rior part of the body, the ventral and pectoral fins, being 

 darker than the other parts. 



