256 NATURAL HISTORY OF OUR SHORES 



At very low spring tide, in rocky situations under stones, 

 may often be found the curious sucking fishes, the genus 

 Lepadogaster. 



The most abundant species is Lepadogaster cornubiensis. 

 It is about three inches long, of a peculiar form, flat on the 

 under side and strongly arched dorsally. The head is 



Fig. 109. Motella tricerrafa. i Natural size 



broad at the base and tapers to a pointed snout. The 

 fish also tapers off suddenly to the tail. IT,S colour is pink, 

 and at the back of the head, or junction of head and body, 

 are two conspicuous eyelike spots, which are blue, with a 

 yellow centre. 



The pelvic fins are joined together and modified into a 

 very perfect sucker, by means of which the fish attaches 

 itself instantaneously when it settles upon any object. 



