170 JULY. 



assume a constant pattern, quite recognisable when you 

 look at a good many specimens together. In the hinder 

 half and on the sides the ground colour is apt to be 

 minutely divided or mottled, the interspaces being of 

 a delicate azure or lilac ; and when examined with a 

 lens, the whole surface seems sown with gold dust. 

 The dorsal fin is set very far back, and, as well as the 

 caudal, is prettily pencilled with dark brown : the 

 under parts are pearly white. 



The eyes are exquisitely beautiful, and as they are 

 prominent, very movable, and especially as they are 

 moved quite independently of each other, they at once 

 attract .and fix the admiration of the beholder. The 

 large pupil is of a deep lustrous green, the iris of the 

 most brilliant orange gold, and the whole set as it were 

 in the midst of a globe of the purest glass. On the whole 

 I scarcely know of a more attractive little fish than this. 



This little Sucker is easily reconciled to captivity. 

 I have in my aquariums some individuals which were 

 captured nearly a year and a half ago ; and they are 

 still in the full enjoyment of health and activity. They 

 are pleasing little things : they scuttle from spot to 

 spot with a spasmodic sort of bustle, wagging their tails 

 much from time to time, so that in movement as well 

 as in form they remind one of tadpoles. They are 

 generally seen, however, anchored to the sides of the 



