49 



JULIS. 



This genus differs from others of the family of Wrasses in having 

 the head entirely without scales. The lateral line forms an angle 

 opposite the end of the dorsal fin; to which Swainson adds, that the 

 first rays of the dorsal fin are higher than the succeeding, and the fin 

 itself is thus rendered falcate. 



RAINBOW WEASS. 



Julis, JONSTON ; pi. 14, f. 3, 



" WiLLOUGHBY; pi. X. 4, p. 324 



Lahms jidis, Linnaeus. Donovan; pi. 96. 



Jiilis valr/aris, CuviER. Fleming; Br. An., p. 210. 



" " Yarrell; Br. Fishes, vol. i. p. 344. 



Coris julis, Guntuer; Cat. Br. M., vol. iv, p. 195. 



So far as is known this very pretty fish has only occurred 

 in a single instance in England, which was in Mount's Bay, 

 in the county of Cornwall; which district may therefore be 

 regarded as the furthest extent of its range northward. It 

 appears to have been caught by the merest accident, in the 

 year 1802, and fortunately was obtained for the use of Mr. 

 Donovan, who has given a beautiful likeness of it. But its 

 history is to be learnt from the Mediterranean, where, in some 

 districts, it is common, and where from ancient times some 

 strange stories are told of its habits. Oppian relates in verse 

 what ^lian repeats in prose. The last-named writer says that 

 this fish lives in rocky places, and has its mouth poisonous, 

 in such a manner that whoever tastes it is rendered unable to 

 swallow. When fishermen have caught a Prawn, ( Squilla,) 

 the middle portion of which has been devoured by a Julis, 

 they sometimes eat it; but the consequence is that they 

 VOL. in. H 



