104 GENERA AND SPECIES. 



The Speckled Goby has 6 spines in its first dorsal, and a spine 

 and 9 or 10 rays in its second dorsal ; in its anal it has a spine and 



9 or 10 rays ; in its caudal 13 rays ; in its pectorals 19 ; and in its 

 ventrals a spine and 5 rays. The tail is cut square, and does not 

 widen towards the tip, its edges being in line with those of the body. 

 There are 40 scales in the lateral line. The scales are smaller in 

 the fore-part of the fish than in the hinder half. The head is 

 broader than it is high. In colour this goby is bluish grey, with 

 blackish bands. The fins are black with whitish streaks. In length 

 it is about 2^ inches. It is found on shallow shores in which the 

 tide ranges over a wide distance of sand and mud. 



In the Painted Goby the first dorsal has 6 spines and the second 



10 rays; the anal has 9 rays; the caudal 13 ; the pectorals 20 ; and 

 the ventral a spine and 5 rays. The pectorals are broad and reach 

 to the second dorsal, which is very little higher than the anal. The 

 caudal is long and rounded and rather narrow. There are from 

 35 to 40 scales in the lateral line. In colour the Painted Goby is 

 light brown with bands, and two short black streaks from the lower 

 edge of the eye. The caudal has a dark inner margin, and the 

 dorsals are iridescent, with spots and a dark edging. In length it is 

 about 2 inches. 



The Paganellus has 6 spines in the first dorsal ; a spine and 

 from 14 to 16 rays in the second dorsal ; a spine and from 14 to 

 15 rays in its anal ; 13 rays in its caudal ; 20 in its pectorals ; and a 

 spine and 5 rays in its ventrals. The dorsals are close together, 

 and the caudal is rounded. There are from 54 to 58 scales in its 

 lateral line. The teeth in the upper jaw are conspicuously large 

 and curved; the lips are thick and bear papillae. The colour is 

 blackish above, lighter below, and the dorsals are banded with 

 orange. In length this species attains 4 inches, and is generally 

 caught in seaweed among rocks. 



The Rock Goby is not as black as its specific name would imply. 

 It has 6 spines in its first dorsal; a spine and 12 or 13 rays in its 

 second dorsal ; a spine and from 10 to 12 rays in its anal ; 13 rays 

 in its caudal; 18 in its pectorals; and a spine and 5 rays in its 

 ventrals. In its lateral line are from 39 to 41 scales. The tail 

 curves inwards from its base, so as to resemble the section of a 

 cone. The jaws are equal in length. In colour it is a dull brown, 

 with indistinct bands and mottlings ; the dorsals and caudal have 

 lines of spots. This is the largest of the British gobies, and 

 reaches 6 inches in length. Its home is among rocks, and it feeds 

 on the small fishes and crustaceans that lurk in the clumps of 

 seaweed. It is an active, voracious sea fish that will live in fresh 

 water, at least, for a time. 



Hippocampus. Plate xv. SYNGNATHID&. 



1 19. antiquorum, SEAHORSE. Head crested, and somewhat like that 



of a horse ; tail tapering, finless, and prehensile. 



The Seahorse has either 3 or 4 fins, the dorsal which has from 

 1 8 to 20 rays, the anal which has 5 rays, and is present only in the 

 female, and the pectorals which have from 15 to 17 rays. The body 



