8Q Mr. Couch on the 'Natural History 



When in high season, the colour behind the head is a fine 

 green, towards the tail it is a reddish-orange ; the belly has 

 a lighter tinge of the same colour. When out of season the 

 whole is a dusky-lead colour. It weighs about three pounds. 

 These three species feed principally on sea-weeds, for the 

 digestion of which they are furnished with long and capa- 

 cious intestines ; their teeth also are well adapted for bruis- 

 ing this food previous to its being swallowed. 



Labrus. 



Common Wrasse. L. Tinea. — This fish keeps in rocky ground, 

 and feeds on crustaceous animals. The old Wrasse com- 

 monly assumes the dominion of his district, and keeps the 

 younger ones at a distance ; so that their numbers most 

 abound where they are most fished for. They are not much 

 esteemed as food. 



Bimaculated Wrasse. L. himaculatus. — Although this species is 

 mentioned as a Cornish fish, I am not acquainted with it; 

 but perhaps this will not be deemed a sufficient reason for 

 doubting its existence as a distinct species. 



Cook. L. Coquus. — The habits of this species and of L. comber 

 are similar. In the summer they are found near the shore ; 

 in winter they pass into deeper water ; but are taken by 

 fishermen through the year, and are principally employed 

 as bait for other fish. 



Besides these and L. cornubiensis, I have noticed another 

 species, which is by fishermen confounded with the L. Tinca^ 

 and which I am unable to refer to any Linnaean species. It 

 differs from the common Wrasse in the following particulars : 

 The body is longer in proportion to its depth, and somewhat 

 thicker ; the ventral fins, which in the L. Tinea reach, just to 

 the anus, in this reach but two-thirds of that distance ; a light- 

 coloured 



