304 ACANTIIOPT. FAMILY OF WRASSES. 



distinguished from the Labrus mixtas by the ascend- 

 ing line of the pre-opercle being much more oblique, 

 forming with the inferior margin a more obtuse 

 angle ; by the six spinous rays at the commence- 

 ment of the anal fin, and by the teeth being smaller 

 and more numerous, especially in the upper jaw. 

 The formula of the fin-rays is 



D. 16/13 P. 15 V. 1/5 A. 6/8 C. 12. 



The whole of the upper parts of the body were of a 

 dark purple black, becoming lighter on the sides ; 

 the lips and anterior part of the head were flesh- 

 coloured, tinged with purple ; the irides blue : the 

 gill-rays five in number ; all the fins blue ; the 

 ventrals tipped with black. Mr. Yarrell could not 

 discover from what part of the coast the fish had 

 been brought, and far less obtain any information 

 regarding its particular habits. 



(Sp. 92.) A. exoletus. The Small-mouthed "Wrasse, 

 or Rock-Cock. A. microstoma of Valenciennes. 

 (PL XXIII.) This species has been long known 

 on the Cornish coast under the name of Rock -Cock, 

 where it is occasionally caught in the pots set for 

 crabs, and whence Mr. Couch transmitted two 

 specimens to Mr. Yarrell, who previously was un- 

 acquainted with the fish. In the year 1836, Mr. 

 Thompson procured one specimen, found on the 

 beach of the county of Antrim ; and in 1837? had 

 an opportunity of examining three others, obtained 

 in the same and neighbouring county of London- 

 derry, during the progress of the Ordnance Survey. 



