272 ACANTHOPTERYGII. FAMILY OF GOBIES. 



place, and there devouring it. It seems common 

 the shores of England, more particularly the south- 

 ern, as it is on the northern shores of France, and 

 in the Baltic, and can be traced as far north as 

 Orkney. Dr. Parnell found it rather scarce in the 

 Firth of Forth, having seen but three specimens 

 taken near to Portohello. 



(Sp, 73.) G. Ruthensparri. The Double-spotted 

 Goby having been first described by the Danish 

 Naturalist Euphrasen, received from him its classical 

 name as an expression of his gratitude to the Cheva- 

 lier Ruthensparr. It is a pretty little fish, rarely 

 exceeding two inches and a half in length. Its 

 most marked specific character is the possession of 

 seven rays in the first dorsal fin, whereas the others 

 have six, with the exception of the albus, which has 

 but five. The dorsals are not wide apart ; and there 

 is moreover one black spot behind the pectoral fin, 

 and another at the base of the caudal fin. The 

 colour of the upper parts of the body is dark reddish 

 brown, crossed with dark lines running in opposite 

 directions ; the dorsal and caudal fins are barred with 

 light reddish brown, and the ventrals and anal are 

 white. It seems to have a wide range, and to be 

 very common in the British seas; Mr. Donovan 

 figured it, reporting its occurrence on the south of 

 England and north of France ; it is also common in 

 Berwickshire, and generally on the east and west 

 shores of Scotland ; and Mr. Thompson of Belfast 

 some time ago, satisfied himself that it was, as taken 

 on the Irish Joast, a species distinct from those 



