200 AYGUST. 



them ; when the lovely little emerald fishes will be 

 found, two or three at each dip, struggling and panting 

 and leaping and quivering their helpless fins at the 

 bottom of his bag. 



The Corkwing belongs to the great Wrasse family ; 

 which, though it chiefly develops itself in the tropical 

 seas, is yet well represented in our own. Yarrell has 

 figured thirteen species, all of them found on our south- 

 western shores, and a few of them ranging to the north 

 as well. The entire family is remarkable for its bright 

 and gorgeous hues, often taking the form of bands, 

 stripes and spots, well defined, and in vivid contrasts. 

 This little species, which extends to the length of five 

 inches, but is much more commonly taken not more 

 than half that size, is of a rich emerald-green hue, 

 lighter beneath, and generally marked with a con- 

 spicuous black spot on each side of the base of the tail 

 Small individuals are frequently found, of a dark 

 reddish brown, arranged in a minute tesselated pattern 

 on a pale ground; and occasionally of a rich golden 

 bronzed hue. The eyes are usually of the finest 

 vermilion. 



They are entertaining inmates of an aquarium ; they 

 play slowly up and down in the corners of the tank, 

 exploring every angle and cranny, hanging in every 

 possible attitude, especially at night. They soon be- 



