289 



XI. THE FAMILY OF WRASSES. 

 LABRIDiE. 



R^ipresentatwes in British Fauna. — Gen. 4. Sp. 13. 



Gftn.46. Labrus. ^^.^\. L.hergylta. . The Ballan Wrassew. 



82. L. Donovani. Green- streaked Dob. 



83. L. miaius. . Blue-striped Do. 



84. L. trimaculatus. Three-spotted Do. 



85. L. comber. . The Comber Do. 

 47.CRENILABRUS. 86. C. me/o/js. . The Golden Maid. 



87. C. Noi-vegicus. The Corkwing. 



88. C. muUidentatus. The Corkling. 



89. C. rupestris. . Jago's Goldsinny. 

 4H. AcANTKOLA- 90. A. CouchU. . Scale-rayed Wrasse. 



BRUS. 91. ^. Yarrellii. . The Sea Wife. 



92. A. oxoletus . Small-mouthed 

 Wrasse. 

 49. JuLis. Q^.J. Mediterranea.T)\e Rainbow Do. 



This very numerous family has, up to a recent 

 period, been involved in the utmost confusion and 

 obscurity ; and M. Valenciennes informs us that he 

 lias found its arrangement more troublesome than 

 that of any of the others, and even now, he is not 

 altogether satisfied. It is characterized by a body 

 oblong in shape, and covered vdth scales; a first 

 dorsal fin, sustained in front by spinous rays, gene- 

 rally furnished with membranes ; the jaws are co- 

 vered with fleshy lips; the palate is smooth and 

 without teeth; there are three pharyngeals, tvvo 

 aperior and one inferior, all armed with teeth ; an 



