SHORE FISHES. 273 



separated from the tail. On the underside at the broadest 

 part of the body there is a sucking organ, consisting of a 

 double disk united to the pectoral and ventral fins, and by 

 means of which it quickly attaches itself to stones and other 

 objects. The general colour is orange mottled with red ; but 

 specimens have been taken of a light brown, dotted with blue. 

 There is a beautiful eye-like spot on each side, a little behind 

 the pectoral fin ; and it is to the pair of these that the species 

 owes its name. It should, however, be added, that specimens 

 taken on the shore are frequently deficient in this ornamental 

 marking. It has a trick when at rest and these Suckers 

 appear to be always at rest of throwing the hinder portion 

 of the body round until the tail and the pectoral fin nearly 

 touch. 



A much larger species is the Cornish Sucker (Lepadogasttr 

 gouani], so called because it was first obtained from the 

 Cornish coast. It is about four inches in length, of a purple 

 or crimson tint, the under parts more inclined to pale red. 

 Behind the eyes are two dark spots in paler rings, and with 

 blue centres. Near the nostrils on each side are two branched 

 thread-like processes, but of very brief length. The dorsal fin 

 quite occupies the hinder third of the Sucker's back, and with 

 the shorter anal fin runs right up to the tail. 



MONTAGU'S SUCKER. 



Montagu's Sucker (Liparis montagui) belongs to another 

 genus. It is so soft and delicate that certain yellow specimens 

 I find attached to stones just below my study windows, look 



