47 



JAGO'S GOLDSINNY. 



Goldsinny, Jago; in Ray's Synopsis Piscium, f. 3. 



" Tarrell; British Fishes, vol. i, p. 333. 



" Thompson; Nat. Hist. Ireland, vol. iv, p. 129. 



Ctenolabrus mpestris, Cuviek. Gunthek; Cat. Br. M., vol. iv, p. 89. 



In the west of England this is a common species, and in 

 many districts besides it is so also, although the individuals are 

 not in considerable numbers. It occurs along the coasts of 

 Scotland, as well as in the Baltic. Nilsson reckons it among 

 the fishes of Sweden, and on the other hand it is met with 

 in the Mediterranean. Unlike the Corkwing, I have not 

 found it to frequent tidal harbours, and it appears to prefer 

 deeper water than the shallows of the sea afford. It takes a 

 bait, but is most frequently caught in the crab-pots, which it 

 enters for the purpose of nibbling the baits suspended within 

 them. It is probable it sheds its roe in May, as the Kock 

 Cook is also known to do. 



Its usual length is about five inches, with a depth of an 

 inch and a quarter at the ventral fins; from the front of the 

 dorsal fin the outline slopes gradually to the upper lip; jaws 

 equal; teeth prominent; eye rather large. The body covered 

 with large scales; gill-covers with scales of smaller size; lateral 

 line suddenly bent down a little behind the termination of 

 the dorsal fin: of this fin the rays are twenty-six, of which 

 seventeen are firm and tipped; anal fin with three firm ravs. 

 The colour of this species is confessedly prone to vary, while 

 the spots are believed to constitute a constant character. in 

 the example described the upper portion was reddish brown; 

 cheeks red, yellowish posteriorly, and a deep pink lengthened 

 spot at some distance below the eye, which is likely to be 

 accidental; the borders of the scales tinged with pink, which 

 on the sides give the appearance of faint pink lines; pectoral. 



