GREATER FORKBEARD. . 127 



under the name of Phijcis mediterraneus. It may be made 

 a question i:>erhaps whether the fish we shall describe next in 

 order is to be regarded as a sejiarate species; but in any 

 case it is certain that this latter also is a native of the 

 Mediterranean Sea, and therefore the circumstance of forminar 

 a nest of sea- weeds may be true of it also; as well as its 

 name of Mole which it bears in the south of France, and 

 which is expressive of the pulpy nature of its flesh. In a 

 note of my own I have compared it to that of a ling-; and 

 looking at Jonston's representation, Table ol, of a species of 

 this genus which he calls Gohius hottatricB of Salvianus, 

 it may be asked whether it be not the long-lost Goby of 

 Martial, so much valued at Venice. 



A specimen slightly exceeded the length of twenty-five 

 inches; the head flat on the top, comjDressed at the sides, and 

 small in proportion to the body. Eyes large, situated forward 

 towards the snout; nostrils in a dejDression before them; gape 

 wide, under jaw shortest, teeth fine in both, those in the palate 

 stouter. A barb at the lower jaw. Body compressed, deep 

 before the vent, more slender near the tail; both body and 

 cheeks clothed with scales. Belly protuberant. Lateral line 

 bent slopingly down at about half its length. Two dorsal fins; 

 the first elevated and pointed; the second and anal long, 

 expanded posteriorly, bound down towards the tail. Ventral 

 fins jugular, a simj^le cord, with two rays enclosed in one 

 case, which divide at about two thirds of their length, reaching 

 fully to the vent: in a fish of the length of two feet, the 

 longest portion measuring eight inches, and the shortest five 

 and a half. The tail round; all the rays of the fins soft. 

 Colour of the back and sides dusky brown, more or less deep; 

 belly whitish; fins dusky purple, except the ventrals. 



