286 MONTAGUE'S SUCKER 



of the male fish assumes a blight red hue. It is a voracious creature, feeding mostly 

 upon small fishes, molluscs, and crustaceans. 



When it is freshly taken from the sea, the colours of the fish are truly magnificent, 

 and even when suspended in the shops of the London fishmonger, its brilliant hues 

 never fail to excite the wonder and admiration of the spectators. Blue is the prevailing 

 tint of the upper parts of the body, but it is varied with a thousand bold and withal 



LUMP-FISH. Cydoptenu lu 



delicate shades of indigo, sapphire, and amethystine purple. The under parts of the body 

 and the fins are rich orange-yellow. This splendid colouring is seen to greatest perfection 

 during the breeding season. 



The whole of the body is studded with little bony tubercles, which, when closely 

 examined, are seen to be more or less star-shaped. Besides these little tubercles, there 

 are four rows of larger and sharply pointed tubercles, one running along part of the back 

 just behind the comb, two more along the sides, and another upon the abdomen. The 

 dimensions of this fish are variable, but the average length is about sixteen inches. 



THERE are only two genera in this small family, and both find examples in the 

 British seas. 



Of the second genus, the UNCTUOUS SUCKER or SEA-SNAIL (Lf,paris vulgaris] is a 

 good illustration. 



This species is found on most of the English coasts, but appears to be less common in 

 the south than in the north. It derives its names of Unctuous Sucker and Sea-Snail 

 from the soft and slime-covered surface of its body. It seems to prefer the rocky coasts, 

 find may be found in the water-pools at low tide. The colour of this fish is pale brown 

 streaked irregularly with a darker tint. Both the dorsal and anal fins are low, long, and 

 reach to the commencement of the tail fin. It is a little fish, seldom exceeding four or 

 five inches in length. 



MONTAGUE'S SUCKER (Liparis Montagui) is remarkable for its habit of adhering to 

 a stone or rock by the disc, and then curving its body to such an extent that the tail 

 and the head almost meet. Even when merely lying at rest, and not employing the 

 sucker, it assumes this remarkable attitude. It is smaller than the last species, rarely 

 exceeding three inches in length. Its colour is rather dull orange above with bluish 

 reflections, and white below. The fins are of a rather deep orange hue. 



