40 SCALE-RAYED WRASS. 



base of the caudal fin a dark spot; pectorals yellow; dorsal 

 bordered with yellow." 



"I have never seen more than one specimen of this species, 

 which was taken with a line in February, 1830, at the con- 

 clusion of a very cold season. It differs from the Common 

 AV^rass and Corkwing in its more elongated form and rounder 

 make; from the former also in having a serrated gill-cover. 

 From the Rock Cook it may be readily distinguished, besides 

 its greater size by its longer form, larger mouth, rounder tail, 

 and by the spot at the root of the tail being further back. 

 The eye is larger than in the Cook, and nearer the angle of 

 the mouth. It may also be distinguished by the serrated gill- 

 cover, form of the lateral line, by the more numerous tipped 

 dorsal and anal spines, and less rounded tail, as well as by 

 the colours, which are sober, whereas those of the Cook are 

 always splendid, and are little subject to variety, except of 

 distribution. From all the species with which I am acquainted 

 it may readily be known by the singular imbricated process 

 of scales between the rays of the fins as above described." 



Of the second example, (the lower figure on the plate,) I 

 remarked at the time of receiving it that it had much the 

 appearance of a Serranus. It was ten inches long, and more 

 compressed than the former; flat on the head, and rising from 

 behind the eyes to the root of the dorsal fin. But in colour 

 it was paler than the former example, and without its finer 

 marks; dusky pink over the body, a dash of dark over the 

 eye; the eye itself silvery, with a blue border. A black spot 

 on the dorsal fin where the different kinds of rays join, but 

 not colouring the rays themselves. A broad spot on the upper 

 margin of the root of the tail, and another fainter and more 

 scattered on the lower border. The dorsal fin twenty-nine 

 rays, of which twenty-one were firm; anal twelve, of which 

 five were firm, being one firm ray less than in the former 

 specimen; pectoral fifteen; ventral six, of which the first is 

 firm; the caudal fin had the stems of the rays so covered 

 with scales that they were not counted. I could not discover 

 a nostril. 



Dr. Gunther considers this last specimen as an example of 

 Acantholahrus Palloni of Cuvier, Lvtjcmiis Palloni of Risso, a 

 species not otherwise known in British natural history. 



