204 FISHES FOR MARINE AQUARIA. 



mode of walking very much resembles that of the 

 lobster upon its slender jointed feet. These impro- 

 vised feet also disturb many kinds of animals hiding 

 under the sand, which soon fall a ready prey. The 

 streaked gurnard (Trigla lineatd) possesses exceed- 

 ingly rich tints, especially when young, insomuch 



Fig- 135- 



Streaked Gurnard {Trigla lineata). 



that in the water it suggests the appearance of some 

 gaily-coloured tropical bird. Its usual adult length 

 is about 12 inches. The head, mouth, back, dorsal 

 fin, and tail are of a vermilion colour ; and sometimes 

 of a dusky red. Its eyes are of a most lovely and 

 brilliant blue. The dorsal fin is marked with bars of 

 red and pinky clouds. The medial line is sometimes 

 a deeper red, whilst the large red pectoral fins are 

 further adorned with spots and markings of green and 

 blue. The spots are most numerous in the older fish, 

 and fewer and larger in the younger. The grey 

 gurnard (Trigla gurnardus} is a very common fish, 



