BLACK GOBY. 



283 



Black Goby entered into frcsli water, and with us certainly 

 spawns in the sea. With respect to the union of the ven- 

 tral fins, it would seem to be for the purpose of forming an 

 instrument of adhesion ; but in no instance have we observed 

 that they adhered either to rocks or to the bottom of the 

 glass vessel in which they have been kept alive for several 

 days." Montagus MS. 



The numbers of the fin-rays are 



D. 6. 17 : P. 17 : V. 12 : A. 12 : C. 15. 



The lower jaw is the longest, with fine card ing-like teeth 

 in several rows ; the tongue square at the end ; gill-apertures 

 small ; behind the vent a small conical tubercle. The adult 

 fish are from five to six inches in length. They spawn in 

 May or June, depositing the ova on stones. The young are 

 to be seen in summer, and are lighter in colour, particu- 

 larly on their under surface. They are to be found on 

 various parts of the coast from Cornwall to the Orkneys. 

 Mr. Couch has observed a peculiarity in the habits of the 

 Black Goby, in which it resembles the Shanny, that of 

 carrying off its prey in its mouth to a resting-place, and 

 there struggling with it. 



