200 



DOUBLY SPOTTED SUCKER. 



and at a considerable distance from the tail. The number of 

 rays in the former has been counted as from five to seven, 

 and those of the last-named fin one or two less. Mr. Thompson 

 had counted only three, but he supposes the fin to have been 

 injured. When viewed obliquely an obscure tabular process 

 was observed in front of each eye; but this could not be 

 discerned except when the fish was alive in the water; obviously, 

 however, their absence ought not to be made a portion of the 

 specific character. 



The colour of different examples varies considerably. Thus 

 in one it was light brown, with a number of dots of caerulean 

 blue between the eyes, and others of smaller size extending half 

 way back to the tail; colour of the pectorals pale pink. ? T o 

 more than eight rays were counted in the tail; which is the 

 more remarkable, as Mr. Thompson assigns to this organ twelve 

 and thirteen, and Mr. Yarrell ten. The name of this species 

 has been assigned to it from two remarkable and beautiful spots 

 which adorn the sides, one on each, near the pectoral fin; but 

 they frequently are not to be seen, without regard to the size 

 of the fish; and I have never been able to perceive them in 

 examples obtained close to the shore. 



Sucker of tin' Cornish Sucker. 



