<_'94 Mn Montagu's Observations, $c. 



vonshire, adhering to stones and old shells; and have kept seve- 

 ral alive for a day or two in a glass of sea water. 



In this situation they always adhered to the sides of the glass, 

 by the apparatus termed the sucker, and frequently remained 

 fixed till they died : and even after death the power of adhesion 

 continues; the wet finger being applied to the part, the fish be- 

 comes suspended: Avhen alive they instantly attach themselves to 

 the hand if taken out of the water*. 



This species of Cyclopterus rarely exceeds an inch and a half in 

 length: the head is broad, and the body tapers much to the tail; 

 the colour is pink and white in minute spots, which, to a com- 

 mon observer, appears all pink : the skin is perfectly smooth ; 

 mouth small; teeth small and regular; irides pink, gold on the 

 inner circle, pupil dark blue ; pectoral fins broad, extending down 

 on each side and joining the sucker; anal fin small, situated near 

 the tail: dorsal fin far behind, corresponding to the anal; cau- 

 dal fin narrow, even at the end; on each side of the body, just 

 behind the pectoral fin, is a purple spot, surrounded by a ring of 

 white, the character from whence the trivial name was taken, and 

 which appears to be an invariable mark. 



Mr. Pennant calls these spots black; and also says the fins are 

 whitish : possibly he had never seen it alive, though it is remark- 

 able for preserving its beautiful pink colour in spirits. 



* The Jura Sucker, Br. Zool. No. 59. equally adheres to the hand when taken up. 

 This species is plentiful on the rocks of Milton on the same coast, but only to be ob- 

 tained at low water: not found with the other, nor taken by the dredge. 



XIX. Biogra- 



