I.UMl' SUCKER. 273 



seas. The anal fin is nnder or opposed to the dorsal, and of 

 nearly the same size and shape : the tail moderate. 

 The fin-rays in number are — 



U. 11 : r. 20 : A. 9 : C. 10. 



Each of the rays ■with a row of hard tubercles along a con- 

 siderable portion of their length. The whole surface of the 

 head and body is covered with small bony tubercles, most of 

 which are more or less stellated in form. Along several parts 

 of the body are rows of larger and more prominent tubercles, 

 with surfaces minutely granulated ; one row occupies the cen- 

 tral ridge of a portion of the back ; two or three tubercles are 

 placed on each side just in advance of the dorsal fin ; one 

 long row extends from the upper angle of the operculum in a 

 straight line to the upper part of the end of the fleshy por- 

 tion of the tail ; a second long row reaches from the space 

 above the pectoral fin to the lower part of the fleshy portion 

 of the tail ; another row of large size extends along the ab- 

 domen on each side as far as the commencement of the 

 anal fin. 



The mouth is wide ; the lips fleshy ; the lower jaw the 

 longest : a band of short and small teeth in each jaw ; a 

 small patch of rounded teeth on the root of the tongue, with 

 others at the pharynx : the irides a fine red ; the colour of 

 the sides of the head and body, and all the upper parts, 

 varying shades of dark blue, lighter blue, and purple ; the 

 lips, under surface of the head and body, fine rich orange ; 

 all the fins tinged with the same colour. After the season 

 of spawning is over, much of the brilliant colouring is lost 

 for a time. 



