DOUBLY-SPOTTED GOBY. 255 



ACANTHOPTERYCII. GOBIOWA. 



THE DOUBLY-SPOTTED GOBY. 



Gobius bipunctatus, YARRELL. 



Niger, Black Goby, DON. Brit. Fish. pi. 104. 



,, ,, FLEM.Brit. An. p. 206, sp. 117. 



THE little Goby which forms the subject of the 

 present article has been considered identical with Gobius 

 niger by some authors, and by others has apparently not 

 been distinguished from Gobius minutus. As this species 

 is not uncommon, and is widely distributed, it has been 

 obtained by various collectors ; and few that have had the 

 opportunity of comparing it side by side with G. niger and 

 minutus, but have been convinced that it was distinct from 

 both. This, at least, was the opinion of several to whom 

 specimens were shown. As I have been unable to recon- 

 cile any of the existing descriptions with this fish, I have 

 ventured to propose for it the name which its two conspi- 

 cuous and constant spots on each side have suggested. 



I have received specimens from Belfast, by the kindness 

 of William Thompson, Esq. who considered it distinct, 

 and had publicly noticed the differences existing between 



