DR. RICHARDSON'S DESCRIPTION OF AUSTRALIAN FISH. 141 



represents a reddish-brown blotch on the side opposite the commencement of the anal, 

 between the second and third red stripes, which is not visible in either of the specimens. 

 The specific name alludes to the ornamental blue studs on the fins resembUng the clavi 

 on the borders of the Roman patrician dress. 



The intestines were nearly destroyed in the specimen which was opened, but the con- 

 tents of the stomach had evidently been small Crustacea mixed with littoral weeds, par- 

 ticularly one like the common Grass-wrack of our own coast {Zostera maritima). The 

 vertebne are nine abdominal and sixteen caudal. The first caudal one differs remarkably 

 from that of the two first-described Wrasses in its transverse or descending process, 

 consisting of two slender arms, which springing directly from the body of the vertebra, 

 meet at their tips and inclose a single wide elliptical arch. This species is prized for the 

 table, and is said by Mr. Lempriere to exhibit all the colours of the rainbow when 

 newly caught. 



Dimensions. 



In. Lin. 



Length from intermaxillary symphysis to extremity of caudal ... 1 1 3 



Length from intermaxillary to end of dorsal 8 2 



Length from intermaxillary to end of anal 8 4 



Length from intermaxillary to beginning of anal 5 



Length from intermaxillary to anus 4 9 



Length from intermaxillary to beginning of dorsal 2 6^ 



Length from intermaxillary to edge of gill-flap 2 5^ 



Length from intermaxillary to anterior margin of orbit 9 



Diameter of orbit 5 



Length of pectorals 18 



Length of ventrals 16 



Length of space between dorsal and caudal 11 



Length of space between anal and caudal 11 



Length of caudal rays 19 



Length of naked part of fin (beyond tongues of scales) 11 



Height of body at ventrals 2 9^ 



Thickness of body at ventrals 12 



Height of spinous part of dorsal 9 



Height of soft dorsal where greatest 10 



Height of soft anal 10 



Labrus psittaculus, the Lory Wrasse. — Labrus psittaculus, Richardson, Zool. Proceed., 

 June 25, 1839, and March 10, 1840. 



L. squamis gene in ordinibus quatuor ad preoperculum approximate, oculoque remo- 



tiusculis ; corpora compresso, ovali; pinnd caudte superne apiculatd. 

 Radii.— Br. 5-5; P. 13; D. 9|11; V. 1|5; A. 3|10; C. 13. 



VOL. III. PART II. U 



