MALACOPTERYGII. — CYCLOPTERIDiE. 



their superior parts variegated with shades of dark 

 blue, bright blue, and purple ; while the inferior 

 parts, and all the fins, are of the richest orange 

 colour. This perfection of colour, however, is 

 only seen at the breeding season in spring ; after 



LUMP SUCKER. 



this is over, the red tints disappear, the blue and 

 purple become dull, and the brilliant effect is 

 lost. Its excellence as food is in proportion to 

 the gaiety of its dress. 



Some interesting points in the domestic economy 

 of this fish, its parental affection and courage, 

 have been noticed in a previous page of this 

 work.* 



See p. 23. 



