274 THE WRASSE. 



The Wrasse. 



There are several species of this fish to be met with on our 

 coasts ; the distinguishing characteristics being an oblong body, 

 covered with hard scales that adhere very closely to the skin. The 

 general form and position of the fins, resembles that of the com- 

 mon carp, but the singular appearance of the large fleshy lips, 

 which generally turning upwards, present a row of teeth resem- 

 bling more those of terrestial animals than fishes, mark a totally 

 different genus. 



The colours of the wrasse are also very remarkable, two being 

 scarcely to be met with that are exactly marked alike ; but the 

 most prevailing colour is a kind of reddish brown, mixed with a 

 darker colour. Others, are of an olive green, mottled with a 

 darker colour, and generally growing paler towards the belly, 

 whilst we meet with many that are beautifully striped, especially 

 about the head with the richest colours, such as blue, red and 

 yellow. 



The most beautifully marked of the whole tribe is the rainbow 

 wrasse, so called from the extreme brilliancy of its colours, which 

 are changeable when viewed in different points of light ; the back 

 is of a beautiful pale blue, beneath which is an orange band ex- 

 tending from the head to the tail, beneath which, are lilac coloured 

 bands on a silvery ground, the head varied with all the colours of 

 the rainbow. The tail, which is slightly rounded at the end, is tip- 

 ped at the end with azure ; the central and anal fin, with rather a 

 darker tint of the same colour : the upper part of the pectoral fins 

 blue, the lower yellow. The fore part of the dorsal fin is a bright 

 blue, tipped with yellow ; forming altogether a very pretty little 

 fish : but here all his merit ceases ; the whole of the wrasse tribe 

 being a watry and insipid race, who although they afford very 

 good sport in the catching, and of little value afterwards, though 

 I have met with many who esteem them by no means bad 

 eating. 



The rainbow wrasse never attains to any considerable size, nor 

 have I ever met with one that has exceeded half a pound weight ; 



