232 Montagu's blenny. 



constitutes the particular character of the species, is the crest 

 or elevation which stands erect across the hinder part of the 

 head. This is also slightly fringed at the border, and behind 

 it are a few less elevated thread-like processes. The mem- 

 branous border of the mouth at the corner is lengthened out, 

 and when the fish is in its naHve element it is so stretched out 

 as to show that it is probably endued with particular sensation, 

 (see figure below.) The crest is sometimes placed further in 

 advance than it appears to be in other instances. The under 

 jaw is rather feeble; first portion of the dorsal fin proportionally 

 a little longer than in the Shanny The colour is for the most 

 part more varied than in that fish, but with similar tints; and 

 the mottled markings are carried under the throat, where in 

 the other fish they do not shew themselves. The crest has 

 usually a red margin, and the tail also is tinted with red. 



