302 ACANTHOPT. FAMILY OP WRASSES. 



specimen, when first found, was described as being 

 of a rich pink or rose-colour, intermixed upon the 

 sides with golden yellow, and showing indications of 

 darker transverse bands on the back ; the fins were 

 rosy-pink mixed with yellow. Upon the anterior 

 part of the dorsal fin there was a deep black spot, 

 occupying the greater part of the membrane of the 

 first three rays, and another upon the upper margin 

 of the base of the caudal. These markings con- 

 tinued unaltered in spirits. Young individuals, 

 Mr. Yarrell states, are of a unifonii flesh-colour, the 

 fins being still lighter ; and the black spots being 

 still conspicuous, they prove a valuable indication. 

 Mr. Nilsson says that they are liable to variations, 

 and some taken in northern localities are tinged with 

 green. 



Gen. XLYIII. Acantholabrus. — This genus 

 corresponds with the preceding, excepting that the 

 outer range of teeth are conical and large, and have 

 behind them a second row, in which they are small 

 and form a narrow band ; the number of the spinous 

 rays of the anal fin is also greater. Of this limited 

 genus, three frequent the British shores. 



(Sp. 90.) A. Couckii. Couch's Wrasse. The Scale- 

 rayed Wrasse. M. Yalenciennes having recently 

 established the present genus, and finding that 

 English Naturalists had mistaken the Scale-rayed 

 Labrus for the Lahrus luscus of Linnseus, in assign- 

 ing it its new position, has conferred on it the name 

 of the well-known Ichthyologist of Polperro, who 

 originally described it. Mr. Couch procured it on 



