350 THE CHEQUEKED SWINE-FISH. 



In the larger species the internal tube was perfectly distiiict and of a blue colour. 



put into spirits and water it died almost immediately, and turned opaque ; a number of 



circular bands also appeared on it." 



The general aspect of the Lancelet is not unlike that of the leptocephalus already 

 described, the delicate transparent body and the diagonal arrangement of the muscles 

 causing a considerable resemblance between the two. But the leptocephalus is at once 

 distinguished by its head, which, although very small in proportion to the body, is 

 yet perfect, possessing well-developed eyes, gill-covers, jaws, and teeth, whereas the 

 Lancelet lias no particular head, and neither eyes, gill-covers, jaws, nor teeth. 



CHEQUERED 8WINE-FI6II. Haliciiares hortulanvt 



THE following species have been inadvertently omitted in the preceding descriptions, 

 on account of recent alterations in scientific systems, and are now inserted as a brief 

 appendix. 



The great and important family of the Labridae, or Lip-fishes, so called in allusion 

 to the thick and fleshy lip with which their mouths are furnished, are spread over 

 the greater portion of the globe, few coasts being without several representatives of 

 the group. 



These fishes are not only remarkable for the full fleshiness of their evidently sensitive 

 lips, but for the endless variety of rich and vivid tints with which their bodies are 

 decorated, hi;s pure as the bright patterns of cathedral windows, and often arranged with 

 a symmetrical regularity of outline and a daring harmony of contrasting colours that do 

 not wholly lose their pictorial effect when translated into the simple black and white of a 

 wood engraving, and when seen on the healthy and living fish appear as if flung on 

 its scales direct from the kaleidoscope. Of the three primary colours, red seems to retain its 

 purity of tone more perfectly than either the blue or the yellow, the former usually being 

 mingled with yellow, and forming greens of varying qualities, while the latter frequently 

 takes a slight tinge of red, and becomes warm orange. These tints are extremely variable, 

 ranging through every tone of the secondary colours, and even in different individuals of 

 the same species the colour is so uncertain that no dependence can be placed upon it as a 

 means G! determining the particular species. 



