96 Part smmcl. 



of the close watch the jealous male animal keeps over its brood. The 

 small Julis pavo and Coris VUlgaris (Figs. 156 and 157) are graceful 

 and brilliant fishes darting ^bout the tank. They are possessed of intense 

 curiosity and great -greediness, devouring instantly any thing that is thrown 

 to them. They are very sensitive to the cold , and retire into the sand 

 at night ; so that on a nocturnal visit to the tank only their heads can 

 be seen protruding from the sandy bed. In cold wintry weather , they 

 remain in the sand all day, and always take refuge there when alarmed. 

 - The larger species of Labrus and Crenilabrus may often be seen 

 resting at the bottom of the tank leaning against a rock or stone , re- 

 minding one of the ground-loving fish. 



Nearly allied is Xyrichthys (Fig. 155), which behaves exactly like 

 Coris, and the small Heliases (Fig. 32) , troop of which play about on 

 all steep coasts. 



In sharp contrast to these lively fishes are the phlegmatic Sea- 

 perches , the largest and most easily kept of which is the SerranilS 

 gigas (Fig. 56). It loves to remain for hours on the same spot, gene- 

 rally where the water enters the tank , sometimes in an upright posi- 

 tion with widely opened mouth and gill-cover, and seems to enjoy the 

 stream of freshly aerated water which passes through its gills. When 

 alarmed it takes refuge under some arch of the rocks and from there 

 darts out on its prey with rapid and unerring aim. All its habits cha- 

 racterize a cautious , timid fish , loving safe hiding-places ; and with 

 this view the observations of the fishermen agree. It is greatly valued 

 and sought after in the Italian markets , going by the name of Cernia, 

 and fetches good prices. The small Lettered-perch, SerranilS scriba, 

 (Fig. 72) with a brilliant colouring , resembles in shape , though not in 

 appearance, its larger relation. It has received its name from the mark- 

 ing like Arabic writing upon its gill-covers. Anthias also belongs 

 here. It lives mostly in depths of 100 to 300 metres on a rocky bottom 

 and it has therefore taken considerable trouble to accustom it to life in 

 the Aquarium, where it gladly hides itselfs in clefts in the rocks. We 

 may also mention in this connection the fine rose-coloured Apogon 

 (Fig 33). 



Much more lively than the giant Serranus is the Bass or Sea- 

 dace, Labrax lupus (Fig. 55). It is a predacious fish, occurring in the 

 Mediterranean and the Atlantic , and was well known in Roman times. 

 It attains a length of three feet and is one of the most delicate fishes 

 in the market , where it is known as Spinola. It is usually found near 

 the coasts and sometimes proceeds some way up the rivers. In stormy 

 weather it approaches the coast in large numbers to feed on the crabs 

 which are carried away by the waves. It is generally caught with the 

 line , large specimens offering very energetic resistance. In the Aqua- 

 rium it lives for years and will spawn freely, but unfortunately the young 

 have not been able to be reared. 



Perhaps the most common fishes in the Bay are the different spe- 

 cies of Grey Mullet , Mugil (Fig. 45). They are easily distinguished by 

 their slender, silvery grey bodies, and their curious lips. The upper 

 lip is provided with a notch into which fits a process of the lower lip. 



