286 



MONTAGUE'S SUCKER. 



men of the male fish assumes a bright red hue. It is a voracious creature, feeding 

 mostly upon small fishes, molluscs, and crustaceans. 



When it is freshly taken from the sea, the colors 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. Cyclopterus lumpus. 



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

 body and the fins are rich orange-yellow. This splended coloring 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 (Liparis 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, and may be found in the water-pools at low tide. The color 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 Montagu?) 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 color is rather dull orange above with 

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



