SCALE-RAYED WRASS. 39 



as well as it could be done under the circumstances, by Mr. 

 William Laughrin, A.L.S., of Polperro, the specimen was handed 

 over to the collection of the British Museum. 



The habits of this species are of course but little known; 

 but although probably local, it may, within its range, be as 

 common as others of its family. It appears, however, that 

 their resort is in deeper water than such as most species of 

 Wrasses prefer; and if the Scale-rayed Wrass has been caught 

 by fishermen who often seek their livelihood in its favourite 

 districts, it is not likely that in general they would otherwise 

 notice it than as something fitted to their individual use. On 

 many occasions has the information reached me of the capture 

 of fishes Avhich, from the attention they excited, were evidently 

 of uncommon occurrence, but which have afterwards been 

 thrown aside, although at the same time a little reflection 

 would have called to the remembrance of these poor men 

 that the presentation of a rarity was certain to meet its 

 reward. 



As some doubt has been thrown on the synonyms of this 

 species, I regard it of importance to copy the notes which 

 were made from the first specimen at the time of its capture, 

 to which I will add the further notes that were obtained from 

 an inspection of the second example above referred to. Of the 

 first it is said, "The specimen was twenty-two inches long, 

 the greatest depth, exclusive of the fins, two inches and a 

 fourth; the body plump and rounded. Head lengthened; lips 

 membranous; teeth numerous, in several rows, those in front 

 larger and more prominent, slightly incurved. Eye moderately 

 large. Anterior plate of the gill-cover serrated; body and 

 gill-covers with large scales. Lateral line nearer the back, 

 descending with a SAveep opposite the termination of the 

 dorsal fin, and thence backward straight. Dorsal fin with 

 twenty-one firm and eight soft rays; the hindmost portion ot 

 the fin expanded: pectorals round, fourteen rays; ventrals six, 

 one of them simple, stout and firm: between these fins a large 

 scale. Anal fin six firm and eight soft rays, the soft portion 

 expanded; tail round, fifteen rays. Between each of the rays 

 of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins is a process formed of 

 firm elongated imbricated scales. Colour uniform light brown, 

 lighter on the belly; upper eyelid black; at the edge of the 



