512 GOBrESOCID^. 



fold of the skin inferiorly at their base ; they are connected by a 

 broad membrane with the ventral fin, which is composed of four rays 

 and a rudimentary si)ine hidden in the skin. 



The structure of the adhesive apparatus is typically the same as 

 in Sicyases, Gohiesox, &c., and widely different from that of Cyclo- 

 ptents and Ltparis. It consists of two parts, the one being in con- 

 nexion wdth the ventral fins, the other with the coracoid bones. 

 Both parts are separated from each other, the coracoid portion having 

 a free anterior margin as in BlpJocrepis punieeus. The portion be- 

 tween the ventral fins, which are widely apart from each other, is 

 broader than long, anteriorly with a free cutaneous margin, which, 

 like the ventral rays, is coated over with small polygonal plates of 

 callous epidermis. The disk between the coracoid bones, also, is 

 broader than long, naked and smooth in the middle, callons round its 

 periphery, and posteriorly with a striated slightly fi'inged margin. 

 The coracoid is composed of two broad bones, the ujiper expanding 

 into a broad free cartilage, which does not extend to the upper mar- 

 gin of the pectoral fin. 



The dorsal fin commences before the vertical from the vent, and 

 the distance of its origin from the caudal is less than one-half of its 

 distance from the snout ; it is connected with the caudal by a broad 

 membrane, like the anal fin. The caudal fin is rounded and of mode- 

 rate length. The anal commences in the vertical from the sixth 

 dorsal ray. Vent and urogenital openings situated immediately be- 

 fore the anal, and at a great distance from the ventral disk. 



This species varies exceedingly in its coloration. In some the 

 colour is a purplish- or carmine-red ; most of these specimens have 

 two darker cross-bands between the posterior portion of the orbits, 

 edged with whitish, and produced into an angle posteriorly. Others 

 have two round dark-red spots on the side of the nape of the neck 

 {L. balbis, Hisso). Again, in others the ground-colour is blackish- 

 brown, hind parts of the sides with oblique blue stripes ; neck with 

 divergent cross-streaks, and mth a pair of pear-shaped spots of the 

 same colour (L. zehrinus, Lowe). Others are green, with brown or 

 blue spots and markings on the head and body (L. biciUatus, Risso, 

 Nordm.). Filially, some are green with brown dots, but without 

 blue marlungs {L. gouanii, liisso). 



This species attains to a length of three inches. 



As in all true Gobiesocidce, the intestinal tract is short, straight, and 

 wide, without pyloric appendages. The mine-bladder is pear-shaped, 

 of moderate size, terminating in a long urethra. 



The skeleton docs not differ essentially from that of the other 

 Gohiesocidce. The crown of the head is flat and smooth ; the frontal 

 bones have a slight longitudinal groove for the posterior processes of 

 the intermaxOlaries ; the front part of the latter is dilated, and both 

 form a slightly concave plate similar to the biU of a duck ; their de- 

 scending branches are quite rudimentary. The maxillary is long, 

 styliform, slightly curved ; mandibula very long and low. The tur- 

 binal bones are narrow tubes, situated on the sides of the inter- 

 maxillary processes ; infraorbital bones none. There are fourteen 



