96 VAKIOUS SPECIES OF SUCKEKS. 



The Cornish sucker has been found in the Mediter- 

 ranean, the Black Sea, and at Madeira, as well as on 

 the south-west coast of England. It deposits its eggs 

 within the shells of oysters, scallops, and other bivalves. 



The Unctuous Sucker, or Sea- snail [Cijclopterns 

 liparis), is so called from the soft and slimy texture of 

 its body. It is almost transparent. It is common on 

 many parts of the coast, and especially near the mouths 

 of rivers. The length is fi'om four to six inches ; it 

 is of a pale brown colour, irregularly striped with lines 

 of a darker shade, giving it a variegated appearance. 



Montagu's Sucker, or the Diminutive Sucking Fish, is a 

 very small species, inhabiting the rocky parts of the coast. 



Montagu's sucker [Cyclopterus montagul). 



It seldom exceeds three inches in length, and is of a dull 

 orange colour, varied with bluish tints. It is often 

 found under stones. When adhering to any object, it 

 has the habit of curving the tail forward towards the 

 head. 



The Bimaculated Sucker [Lepadogaster himacidatus) 

 resembles the former, but is smaller, and the head more 

 depressed, and the body more tapering. It is so called 

 from two marks on the sides, which, however, are not 

 always obvious. The prevailing colom- is a fine red ; 

 the under side flesh-coloured. It is obtained in deep 

 dredging, and adheres to stones and old shells. 



Allied to the Gobies, and classed with them, are the 

 Dragonets, of which we have two species. The Gemmeous 

 Dragonet, so called~_from its brilliant gem-like coloui's. 



