SORTATION. 



37 



The wrasses we have already disposed of the rainbow wrasse 

 are not an easy group to sort. Some have 3 spines in the anal, 

 some have more. Of the three-spined, three, Ctenolabrus has a 

 characteristic notch where the spines join the rays in the dorsal, 

 which is not present in either Crenilabrus or Labrus, and Labrus has 

 more than 40 scales in the lateral line, while Crenilabrus has less 

 than 40. Of Crenilabrus there are two species, the Conner (C. melops), 

 which is purplish above and paler below, and the goldsinny (C. 

 cornubicus), which is greenish above and yellow below. Of Labrus 

 there are four species the green wrasse (L. lineatus), which is green, 

 streaked with yellow ; the striped wrasse 

 (L. mixtus), which is orange, striped with 

 blue; the comber (L. donovani), which 

 has a few white spots below the lateral 

 line, and one incomplete white stripe ; 

 and the ballan wrasse (L. maculatus), 

 which is plentifully spotted with white 

 both above and below the lateral line. 

 In Labrus the teeth are in a single row, 

 and characteristic, as shown in the 

 sketch of those of the ballan wrasse 

 (Fig. 19). 



Two genera only have more than 3 

 spines in the anal, these are also wrasses ; 

 they are Acantholabrus, with scales on 



the spines and rays, and Centrolabrus, TEETH OF BALLAN WRASSE. 

 without such scales, the latter also 



differing from the former in having less than 40 scales in the lateral 

 line. This completes the thoracic group having 3 or more spines, 

 as follows: 



Fig. 19. 



Anal with three spines 



Pectorals with 12 or 13 rays Con's. 

 Pectorals with 14 to 17 rays. 



Dorsal spines 12 or less 

 Tail forked 



Front teeth conspicuous Dentex. 



No molar teeth 



Lateral line black and parallel to back Cantharus. 



No canine teeth Pagellus. 



Molar teeth and canine teeth Pagrus 



Dorsal spines more than 12 

 Tail forked Box. 



Tail not forked- 

 Gill covers spiny ; lips thin 



Dorsal rays under 13 Polyprion. 



Dorsal rays over 13 



Dorsal spines 15 Sebastes. 

 Dorsal spines 10 or n Serranus. 



