GEN. LABRUS. THE BALLAN WRASSE. 291 



attain a large size ; but their flesh is white and firm, 

 and according to M. Valenciennes, is universally 

 esteemed as wholesome and agreeable food. They 

 abound more in the Mediterranean, and in tem- 

 perate seas, than between the tropics. They are all 

 remarkable for their lively colours, and have hence 

 been called Parroquets of the Sea. 



(Sp. 81.) L. lergylta. Ballan Wrasse. (Pl.XXII.) 

 The striking variations of dress to which this species 

 of Old- wife is subjected, as well as some other of 

 her characters, should clearly be understood by the 

 student. On the northern coast of France the fish 

 is called Red Old- wife, when, upon the prevailing 

 green colour, a red tint predominates ; it is called 

 the Green Old-wdfe when the common green hue 

 prevails, and the Yellow Old- woman when yellow 

 predominates over the green : sometimes it appears 

 of a sombre olive-green colour, when the simple 

 appellation of Old-wife is used; and the name of 

 Sea Parroquet is given to that variety in which over 

 the green ground there is a net- work of a reddish 

 hue pervading the body. Besides these, one of the 

 most common varieties is that in which there is a 

 marked infusion of blue in the tinting. There is 

 considerable variety also as to the number of the 

 dorsal and anal rays ; the former exhibiting the 

 following numbers, 20 spinous and 11 soft, — say 

 20/11, also 20/10, 21/10, and 21/11, and the latter 

 this formula, — 3/9 and 3/8. M. Valenciennes re- 

 marks, that having examined a great number of 

 these varieties, he finds it would be inadmissible to 



