COLONEL MONTAGUE. 249 



sucker an organ of adhesion which is very nearly 

 correct the general appearance of the Diminutive 

 Sucker-Fish as figured, is not at all satisfactory. 

 Perhaps this is not to be wondered at, when we 

 remember that the specimen from which the sketches 

 were taken was very small indeed. Moreover, it 

 was diaphanous, and is depicted as being principally 

 transparent, spotted, and tinged with pink. 



The Diminutive Sucker, in its adult state, is said 

 to be from two to three inches in length ; conse- 

 quently Colonel Montague's first specimen must have 

 been an extremely young one. 



The usual colour is deep orange, varied with 

 minute dark spots. The under parts of the body 

 and throat are of flesh colour ; the centre of the 

 sucker being faintly tinged with crimson. 



I have seldom met with specimens measuring 

 more than one, or one and a quarter inches. It 

 is a marked peculiarity in this Sucker-Fish, that 

 when adhering to any substance it has a constant 

 habit of curving the tail towards the head. In 

 such position it will remain motionless for several 

 hours. 



There is little difficulty in capturing the Mon- 

 tague Sucker in its native haunts. It does not 

 possess the power of darting to and fro with the 

 speed of the Blenny, or most other fishes, but pro- 

 gresses through the liquid element with a peculiar 

 quivering motion, 



