THE PARROT-FISHES OR WRASSES. .41 



vermilion ground colour, but possesses only two white cross- 

 bands, and neither these nor the fins are edged with black. 

 . . In a third species of this genus, apparently identical 

 with Amphiprion tnelanopus, collected by the author at Port 

 Darwin, there is only one intersecting band of white; and, 

 as this crosses the fish's head and cheeks it communicates 

 to it the ludicrous appearance of having its face bandaged 

 as though for toothache. At first sight it was, as a matter 

 of fact, imagined that a scrap of white paper was acciden- 

 tally adhering to the fish, and it was only on attempting to 

 remove it that it was recognised as forming an integral part 

 of the organism." 



THE PARROT-FISHES OR WRASSES. 



( Families : Labridcc and Scaridce. ) 



As these two families are so closely allied, it seems to me 

 desirable to treat of them together. They form an immense 

 group of over 500 distinct species. In the words of Gtin- 

 ther: "The 'Wrasses' are a large family of littoral fishes, 

 very abundant in the temperate and tropical zones, but be- 

 coming scarcer towards the Arctic and Antarctic circles 

 where they disappear entirely. Many of them are readilv 

 recognised by their thick (fleshy) lips, which are sometimes 

 internally folded ; a peculiarity which has given to them the 

 German name of 'Lip-fishes.' They feed chiefly on mol- 

 lusks and crustaceans, their dentition being admirably 

 adapted for crushing hard substances. Many species have 

 a strong curved tooth at the posterior extremity of the 

 intermaxillary,* for the purpose of pressing a shell against 

 the lateral and front teeth; by which it is crushed. Other 

 Wrasses feed on corals, others on zoophytes; a few are 

 herbivorous.'' Most of those glorious-looking many-hued 

 creatures, to be seen in the vicinity of the coral-reefs ; swim- 



* One of the hones of tho upper jaw. 



