252 MALACOP. SUB BRACH. SUCKERS. 



(Sp. 189.) L.tulgaris. Unctuous Sucker, or Sea* 

 snail. The usual length is from four to six inches, 

 the whole body of a soft texture, soon dissolving 

 after death. The skin is somewhat loose and in- 

 vested with a thick slimy matter. It is found in 

 various parts of the coast of Britain, as well as in 

 Orkney, and other countries further north. It is 

 said to be eaten in Greenland, although its appear- 

 ance is by no means inviting, and we know that 

 the flesh of an allied species described by Pallas is 

 so bad that even dogs will not eat it. It is full of 

 spawn in January, and the mature ova are described 

 as of large size. Dr. Parnell has taken L. vulgaris 

 in the Firth of Forth, but it is far from common in 

 that estuary. 



(Sp. 190.) L. Montagui. Montagu's Sucker. 

 This diminutive fish was first described by Colonel 

 Montagu in the Memoirs of the Wernerian Society 

 (vol. i. p. 91, pi. 5), and it was named after him by 

 Donovan, who figured it in his British Fishes. In 

 the Unctuous Sucker the dorsal and anal fins are 

 connected with the caudal ; in the present instance 

 there is an intervening space. This species seldom 

 exceeds three inches in length, and is of a dull 

 orange colour, varied with faint tints of blue. It is 

 found chiefly on rocky parts of the coast, and ap- 

 pears to be not very scarce in many places. Berwick 

 Bay, south-western coast of Scotland, Cornwall, 

 Devonshire, and south coasts of Ireland, have been 

 mentioned as localities. When adhering to any ob- 

 ject, it has the habit of curving the hinder or free 

 portion of its body forwards towards the head. 



