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SLENDER GOBY. 



Gobius gracilis, G. 



If we may judge from the discrepencies that are seen in 

 the descriptions of a species under the name of the Slender 

 Goby, and the disagreement between the description and the 

 figure in a popular and generally excellent work, we cannot 

 avoid the conclusion that more than one, or even than two 

 kinds of Gobies have been confounded together under this 

 name. It appears useless to attempt to decide in this case, as 

 to the question which of these authorities is to be followed, 

 and therefore under this title we give a figure and description 

 of a fish which, from its form and proportions, seems well 

 entitled to bear the designation. The difference from those 

 which we have already represented will scarcely be disputed; 

 but of its distinguishing habits we are not able to say more 

 than that it was taken, with others of the same genus, near 

 the shore in the bay of Weston-super-Mare, in Somersetshire. 



It measured an inch and a half in length; the greatest 

 depth at about the root of the pectoral fin, from whence it sloped 

 gently to the snout; and from the first dorsal fin becoming 

 more slender posteriorly, but most so behind the vent. Lower 

 jaw a little the longest; the gape a little oblique. Eyes con- 

 spicuous, high on the cheeks. Dorsal fins widely apart; the 

 rays of the first of equal length; anal fin shorter than the 

 second dorsal, but ending together. Tail with the middle rays 

 lengthened, and consequently almost lancet-shaped. Colour 

 dark, especially on the back; sides and belly pale yellow, with 

 dark spots, which are largest along the lateral line. 



The White Goby of Dr. Parnell has fallen under my notice 

 in Cornwall, but, from its very minute size and diaphanous 

 appearance, I regard it as the young of some better-known 

 species. It is the Gobius alhus of Yarrell's "British Fishes," 

 vol. i, p. 295; Latrunculus alhus, Gunther's "Catalogue of 

 British Museum," vol. iii, p. 80. 



