222 GATTORUOINE. 



reddish brown, much mottled and clouded: — the fin rays for 

 the most part vermilion, as are the lips and tendrils over the 

 eyes. 



I have never known the fish as thus described to be left by 

 the tide in any concealment; but on the other hand I have 

 met with two examples thus left, which answered closely to 

 the figure (PI. 86) given by Donovan, to which Dr. Gunther 

 refers as a representation of the Gattorugine, although very 

 different in its colours. I scarcely venture to differ in this 

 respect from an observer whose accuracy in general cannot be 

 disputed; but if these instances only constitute a variety it is 

 remarkable, and as coupled with a variation of habit also it 

 is deserving of a distinct representation and description. — Fig. 

 1, Plate CXIII. 



The smaller example of the two, which scarcely exceeded two 

 inches in length, was found concealed under a stone at about 

 low- water mark; and the larger, which measured four inches 

 and a half, was taken from a cleft in a rock, where it had been 

 left by the tide in the manner of the Common Shanny, which 

 in shape it much resembled. A description of this specimen 

 will be best understood by a comparison with those particulars 

 of the Common Gattorugine, in which they differ one from the 

 other. The eyes were less distinctly elevated, — in this respect 

 resembling the Shanny more than the Gattorugine; the dorsal 

 ridge only a little elevated above the level of the head; the 

 belly less protuberant, and no separate process between the first 

 ray of the anal fin and the vent. The dorsal rays comparatively 

 higher, and their extremities more free of the membrane, the 

 first ray in fact being lengthened into a short process, Pro- 

 cesses above the eyes, each a single thread with lateral fibres; 

 ventral fins undivided to a greater length; pectorals extending 

 even beyond the vent, while in the Common Gattorugine it 

 extends to little beyond half that distance. The dorsal fin 

 especially is proportionally more expanded as it approaches the 

 tail. A slight tuft of fibres project from the nostrils as the fish 

 is seen alive in a pool, where it shews little signs of activity. 

 The fin rays were the same as in the Gattorugine, with the 

 slight exception of a single one in the dorsal tin and tail. The 

 colours were beautiful, and much varied ; the ground colour rich 

 brov.n; a broad, light, crooked band from the eye to the check; 



