168 OXE-SPOTTED GOBY. 



bands or stripes. But the distinguishing mark which has been 

 assigned to this fish is found on the first dorsal fin, and which 

 is described as a black spot, of a constant character, between 

 the fifth and sixth rays. Our representation ^vl\\ shew, however, 

 that this spot, if so it may be termed, by no means invariably 

 answers to the description given of it. In one example it 

 occupied, in a triangular form, more than half of the anterior 

 portion of the upper border of the fin, and also more widely 

 the posterior border; but below the first portion it was bordered 

 w'ith a white stripe that was directed obliquely upward, and 

 the second portion was bordered with a bent line below, and 

 both these white marks were succeeded below by a darker tint. 

 In another specimen the anterior portion of this black mark 

 w^as narrower, but bordered above by a white edge to the fin. 

 The lower portion of the fin in this instance was decidedly 

 dark. 



Naturalists are not agreed whether the species termed 

 the Spotted Goby f Gohius minutus,) be or be not a younger 

 condition or variety of the One-Spotted Goby. It was the 

 opinion of Dr. Parnell that he had proved them to be different, 

 while the decision of Dr. Gunther is to the contrary; and it 

 must be confessed that I have not been able to discover any 

 difference between them, except in the size of the fishes and 

 the presence or absence of the spots that ornament the first 

 dorsal fin. The question therefore is left undecided, and we 

 content ourselves with extracts from the authors already quoted. 

 Dr. Parnell, as referred to by Mr. Yarrell, says: — "This fish, 

 although closely allied to the other species of the same genus, 

 is undoubtedly quite distinct from them, the black spot on 

 the first dorsal fin being far more constant and conspicuous 

 than any character Avhich distinguishes the rest of the British 

 Gobies. The only species it can well be mistaken for is the 

 G. minutus. but differs from it in having a black spot between 

 the fifth and sixth rays of the first dorsal fin, the second dorsal 

 with eleven rays, and the tail fin even at the extremity. Whereas 

 the G. minutus has no black spot betAveen the fifth and sixth 

 rays of the first dorsal fin; the rays of the second dorsal ten 

 in number, and the tail fin rounded at the end." On these 

 points Dr Gunther's observation is, that Parnell's assertion 

 "that specimens with a spot on the first dorsal fin have two 



