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and the bold defence of them by the male. The small Julis 

 (Julis Giofredi, vulgaris and turcica) are as pretty and 

 swift in their motions as they are richly coloured, and a great 

 ornament to the Aquarium. The voracity with which they fall 

 upon anything that is thrown to them , and their impudent 

 curiosity, are very amusing. They fight hard for every morsel, 

 and each tries to snatch a bit with his pointed and fine toothed 

 snout. They glitter splendidly in the sunshine, their eyes shi- 

 ning like jewels. They are very sensitive to a low temperature, 

 and every evening go to bed in the sand at the bottom of their 

 tank, so that a night-visitor to the Aquarium will only see here 

 and there some small head protruding. On cold winter days 

 they also remain buried in the sand, and at all times , if in 

 danger, disappear like lightning. The larger kinds of Labrus and 

 Crenilabrus may often be seen resting against some rock, a 

 habit in which there is still a trace of the ground-fish. 



Similar to these is the Easor-fish (Xyrichthys novacula), 

 which conducts itself exactly like the Jiff's; and the small Monk- 

 fish (Heliastes chromis) which haunts steep coasts in so- 

 ciable troops. 



Contrasted with the liveliness of these smaller fish, is the 

 phlegma of the Sea-perch, the largest of which, Giant- perch 

 (Serranus gigas) is not only the most majestic, but also bears 

 confinement best. This fish delights in floating for hours in 

 one spot, generally near the stream of water which runs into 

 the tank ; sometimes it places itself immediately beneath the 

 stream in a vertical position and allows the fresh aerated water 

 to pour into its wide open jaws and gill- covers. When alarmed 

 it darts away under some arch in the rock-work , and with 

 equal rapidity rushes at its prey, which it unfailingly catches. 

 Its whole behaviour proves it to be a prudent, retiring creature, 

 fond of safe hiding places. Under the name of Cernia this fish 

 is one of the finest table-fish in the Italian market , and com- 

 mands a high price. 



The little writing -perch (Serranus scriba) so called from 

 the marks on its gill- cases which look like handwriting , is 

 distinguished for its beautiful colour and resembles its relatives. 

 This species belongs to the few hermaphrodites found among 

 fishes. 



Much more lively than the above fish are the ivolf- perches 

 (Labrax lupus) which traverse in company the largest tank 

 in all directions. The wolf-perch is a voracious fish found both 

 in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The ancients were well 



