171 



TRANSPARENT GOBY. 



Gohius pellucidus, C. 



The fish of which a figure and description are now given, 

 under a name new to science, was procured from the Bristol 

 Channel, by the kindness of E. T. Higgins, Esq.; and in 

 several particulars it differs so considerably from every species 

 to which I am able to refer, as known hitherto on the British 

 coasts, that I feel compelled to regard it as new. 



Two examples in my possession were of about equal size, 

 and when first caught they were even more than semitransparent. 

 Mr. Higgins remarked that they might be compared to the 

 Morris in this respect; but their size, which measured an inch 

 and three fourths in length, will not countenance the supposition 

 that this transparency can be accounted for by the early con- 

 dition of their growth. The snout is of greater length than in 

 most of the species of Gobies that have come under our notice, 

 and consequently protrudes further before the eyes; under 

 jaw longest, and the gape wide, running back under the eye. 

 The body slender, of uniform breadth, beginning to slope only 

 near the tail. First ray of the first dorsal over half the length 

 of the pectorals; length of the rays decreasing rapidly. Second 

 dorsal not near the first, low, parallel with the anal; pectoral 

 fins slender, long, ending in a point; ventrals slight; tail a 

 little concave. No visible scales. No spot nor bar on any of 

 the fins, except that in one example there was a slight dusky 

 mark at the root of the tail. Colour simply pale. Viewed 

 from below the borders of the gill-covers appeared to close 

 one over the other. 



