THE FAUNA OF THE SALCOMBE ESTUARY. 215 



the Marine Hotel on July 14th. A larger specimen, measuring 20 mm., 

 was taken in zostera at the mouth of Southpool Lake on August 8th. 

 The species is distinguishable at all these stages from its allies, not 

 only by its fin-ray formula, but also by the vertical stripes produced 

 by the grouping of the chromatophores. The latter, in specimens 

 below 12 mm. in length, do not extend behind the hinder margin of 

 the dorsal and anal fins (cf. Ct. mpestris, Holt, Ann. Mus. Marseille, v., 

 1899, pi. 5, fig. 49), but are already grouped into four or five vertical 

 bands, separated by intervals devoid of chromatophores. In the smaller 

 specimens (8 to 10 mm.) the bands are less distinct than in the larger 

 ones, but their incipient formation is indicated by the gaps visible 

 here and there among the chromatophores. At first the gaps appear 

 somewhat irregular, owing to their independent development along the 

 uppermost and middle regions of the side ; but at about 10 mm. the 

 dorsal and mid-lateral gaps begin to coalesce in a vertical direction, 

 and thus produce more definite interspaces between the bands. The 

 latter are best defined, as a rule, near their dorsal ends. Each band, 

 in specimens 8 to 11 mm. long, contains about four to five chromato- 

 phores in a line drawn across its breadth ; but this number increases 

 considerably as growth proceeds, since the bands in the largest specimen 

 (20 mm.) contain from 12 to 20 chromatophores across. The number 

 of fin-rays in the ten specimens counted fell within the formula — 



D. XVI; 8-9. A. Ill; 9-10. 

 Only in the smallest specimen (below 8 mm.) was it impossible to 

 determine the number of dorsal rays. 



It should be added that these young wrasses below 12 mm. in length 

 (whether C. melojys or L. maculatus) still retain remnants of the larval 

 fin membrane in the preanal region ventrally, and in front of the 

 caudal fin both dorsally and ventrally. 



Centrolabrus exoletus, Li7in. One young specimen, 36 mm. in 

 length, was found in zostera opposite the Marine Hotel, August 19th. 



Gasterosteus spinachia, Linn. One specimen, south of Pilworthy 

 Point. 



Syngnathus, sp. A young, recently liberated specimen was taken in 

 a tow-net off Snape's Point, on August 13th. 



Nerophis ^quoeeus, Linn. Under Marine Hotel. 



Atherina presbyter, Jenyns. Abundant along the wharves. 



Clupea sprattus, Linn. Four sprat larvte, varying between 14-5 

 and 18*25 mm. in length, were taken in tow-nets at night between 

 Snape's Point and Ditch End, August 7th to 13th. 



Six young sprats, 29*5 to 34-8 mm. in length, were taken at the surface 

 on July 16th in the harbour. They formed part of a shoal which was 

 being pursued, according to the fisherman, by atherines. 



NEW SEIilES. — VOL. VI. NO. 2. Q 



