LANCE-TAILED GOBY. 



closely set together, and the middlemost the longest : 

 the others on each side gradually shorter : the 

 ventral fins coalesce, and form a sort of funnel, by 

 which these fish are said to affix themselves im- 

 moveably to the rocks ; for which reason they are 

 called by the name of Rock-Fish; the tail is rounded 

 at the end : the general colour of the fish is dusky 

 or blackish ; but this, on close inspection, is owing 

 to numerous small dusky or blackish specks, ac- 

 companied by brown or olive coloured bars and 

 clouds disposed on a whitish ground: the dorsal 

 and anal fins are of a pale blue ; the rays marked 

 with minute black spots. This fish is a native of 

 the mediterranean and northern seas, and some- 

 times enters the mouths of the larger rivers, par- 

 ticularly in the beginning of summer, at which 

 season it deposits its spawn on stones near the 

 shores. It is in the number of edible fish, but is 

 in no particular estimation. 



LANCE-TAILED GOBY. 



Gobius Lanceolatus. G.fnsco-Jla'cescens, squamis versus caudam 



majoribus, cauda ehngato-acuminata. 

 Yellowish brown Goby, with the scales increasing in size 



towards the tail, which is large , elongated, and sharp-pointed. 

 Gobius lanceolatus. G. cauda longissima acuminata. Block. 



t. 38. /. 1. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel.p. 1203. 



THIS species is distinguished by the peculiar 

 form of its tail, which is large in proportion to the 

 animal, and sharp pointed at the tip : the body is 



