106 THE CORK WING. 



The Frontispiece to tliis volume represents such a 

 specimen, a little less than the natural size. The 

 fish attains, indeed, much greater dimensions, but the 

 most brilliantly coloured individuals are usually about 

 six inches in length. I have represented it as lurk- 

 ing under a projecting ledge of rock, a situation it 

 loves to haunt, under the shadow of the branching 

 tufts of sea- weeds, from which it picks its insect food. 

 The Sea-weeds introduced into the picture are as fol- 

 low : — immediately in front of the fish is a plant of 

 Chondrus crisjjus ; below its breast is the woolly 

 green CladojjJiora uncialis, a little species remarkable 

 for its compactness, and for the abrupt termination of 

 its tufts. Towards the left are seen two or three 

 fronds of the curious and elegant Peacock's Tail 

 {Padma jjavo7iia), of which I have something to say 

 presently ; while springing from the same point, and 

 arching over the back of the fish, is a single leaf, 

 — almost as thin and pellucid as tissue-paper, — of 

 Punctaria latifolia. 



THE COEKWING. 



The most common of all our Wrasses is the little 

 Corkwing [Crenilahrus Comuhicus). It is less pre- 

 tentious than some of its fellows ; yet bright- colom-ed 

 specimens are very pretty, and their minuteness, 

 hardiness, and lively manners make them very desira- 

 ble tenants of an Aquarium. The common dimensions 

 are about two inches in length, but specimens are not 

 rare of twice that size. The colour is green, more or 

 less brilliant ; large and well-coloured individuals may 

 be confounded with the Green Wrasse (Lahrus Bono- 



