B ALLAN WRASS. 25 



Lalrus Hncft, DONOVAN; pi. 83. 



" maculatus, BLOCIT. GUNTHER; Cat. Br. M , vol. iv. Dr. Gunther 



believes that the L. pnsiUus of Jenyns and 

 Yarrell is the younger condition of this species. 



" " JENYXS; Manual, p. 391. 



" " TARRELI-; British Fishes, vol. i, p. 311. 



THE Wrasses form a numerous family, of which, several 

 species are found on the British coasts; and of these there are 

 some portions of character which are common to all, however 

 they may vary in other particulars. Their residence is among 

 rocks which are clothed with the larger kinds of sea-weeds, 

 and not at a great depth of water. If alarmed, or after 

 wandering for a time in search of food, they return to their 

 accustomed shelter; and as they appear to enjoy the waving 

 of this herbage above their heads among which they are seen 

 passing to and fro, as if rejoicing in the pleasantness of the 

 situation they also find in the concealment it affords a shelter 

 from their enemies, of which they have some formidable ones. 

 The cormorant and shag can only prey upon the young; but 

 the porpoise and dolphin, with the seal in more solitary places, 

 will hunt them in the gullies of rocks, as I have seen the 

 former do like hounds scenting out a hare, and from them 

 there is small chance of escape. 



The- ancients entertained the singular opinion that the male 

 "Wrass was the master, keeper, or husband of several females, 

 which he compelled to shut themselves up within some rocky 

 prison, before Avhich his occupation was to maintain over them 

 a jealous watch lest any stranger should break in upon them 

 to invade his rights. It was only in the evening that this care 

 was intermitted, and only then for a short time, that he might 

 seek a supply of food; the females, on the other hand, being 

 supposed to find sufficient for their need in what their rocky 

 cavern afforded. In no other way than by enticing this 

 guardian of his flock to take the hook could a fisherman hope 

 to ensnare the females within; but if successful in his first 

 intention, his ultimate wishes were certain to be accomplished. 

 It was then 



"The females range unguarded by their mate, 

 Embrace the fraud, and .share' the common fate." 



O 

 VuL. 111. E 



