256 ACANTIIOPTERYGII. FAMILY OF GOBIES. 



and Cornwall, where it has been observed by Mr. 

 Couch as well as Colonel Montague, appear to be 

 the only habitat in which it has been detected in 

 Britain, but it is considered identical with one of 

 the Mediterranean species. Its chief specific cha- 

 racters are thus described by ontague : On the 

 top of the head, between the eyes, is a transverse 

 fleshy fimbriated membrane, the fimbrice of a pur- 

 plish brown colour, tipped with white ; the nostrils 

 are furnished with a minute bifid appendage; be- 

 hind the vent there are several minute erect filiform 

 apendiculee, placed horizontally : the colour above 

 is generally olive-green, spotted with pale blue, 

 shaded with white ; the pectoral fins being shaded 

 with orange : its size varies from one inch to two 

 inches and a half. Colonel Montague states that 

 not fewer than eight or ten individuals had come 

 under his inspection; that the crest seemed incapa- 

 ble of erection, at least, no voluntary motion could 

 be observed when the fish was observed alive in 

 sea-water. It is occasionally taken among the 

 rocks on the south coast of Devonshire and Corn- 

 wall, in pools left by the receding tide. 



(Sp. 65.) B. ocellaris. (PI. XVIII.) The Ocel- 

 lated Blenny, or Butterfly-fish, is distinguished by 

 M. Yalenciennes as the most remarkable of the 

 Blennies, on account of the singular appearance of 

 its ornamented dorsal fin. It w^as to this fish, which 

 attains the length of six inches, and abounds in the 

 jMediterranean, that Belon first attached the name 

 of Blennus. It frequents ^-be shores, and feeds upou 



