290 ACANTHOPT. FAMILY OP WRASSES, 



i 



air-bladder is found, but no casca. It contains 

 not fewer than 22 genera and sub-genera, and 365 

 ascertained species; of which number, as stated 

 above, Britain lias only four genera and thirteen 

 species. 



Gen. -XL VI. LABRIJS. This genus (Old Wives 

 of the Sea, as they are generally called), as implied 

 by its name, has thick lips, which are fleshy, and 

 apparently double ; the branchiostegous membrane 

 has only five rays; the maxillary teeth are simple 

 and conical, arranged in several rows, the pharyn- 

 geal ones cylindrical and softish ; the gills tire with- 

 out spines, the cheeks and gill-covers furnished with 

 scales, and the lateral line almost straight. They 

 are distinguished by their elegant, regular, and oval 

 form. The statement that the gill-covers are 

 furnished with scales, is to be understood of the 

 opercle, pre- and sub-opercle, in these temperate re- 

 gions; the teeth are strong, conical, and longest 

 near the symphasis ; the spinous rays of the dorsal 

 fin are usually more numerous than the soft, and 

 behind the point of each spinous ray there is usually 

 a short membranous filament ; the anal spines are 

 stout and short. These fish feed chiefly upon cnis- 

 tacea and testacea, which their strong teeth enable 

 them to break and crush. They group together, 

 without forming very numerous shoals, upon rocky 

 coasts, sheltered from the violent action of the 

 waves : hence their names of Wrasse, or Rock-fish. 

 They spawn in spring, among the marine plants, 

 where the young find a safe retreat. They do not 



