Notes on the British Species of Lepaclogaster. 163 



coast of Scotland, I have frequently noticed the occuiTence 

 of a form which differs considerably from any of the species 

 described in Day's standard work, although, like Kent's L. 

 Couchii, it comes closest to L. himacvlatus. I have no certain 

 means at present of deciding whether Kent's species and my 

 own are identical, but if so, the description of the former 

 omits the chief points which I regard as of specific value. 

 The following notes have been compiled from a comparison 

 of west coast specimens with those of the Channel Islands 

 and the Mediterranean. I am indebted to Professor M'Intosh 

 of St Andrews for the loan of a few specimens from Guern- 

 sey ; and Mr Sinel has supplied me with a number of Jersey 

 specimens. 



1. Lepadogaster Gouanii, Lacep. 



Day gives the following fin-formula: — D., 16-20; P., 

 20-25 ; v., 1/4 ; A., 9-11 ; C, 19. Dorsal and anal continuous 

 with the caudal. In the specimens which I have examined 

 the formula is D., 15-18 ; A., 10-12; C., 19-23. The dorsal 

 fin appears usually to consist of 17 or 18 rays, the anal of 10 

 or 11, whilst in the caudal the average is 21. The latter 

 consists usually of 14 well-developed rays, with a variable 

 number of slender and more rudimentary ones at the upper 

 and lower margins. Apparently owing to the fact that the 

 part of the continuous embryonal fin immediately preceding 

 the caudal is not absorbed in this species, there is a tendency 

 for rudimentary rays to be developed beyond the usual limits 

 of the caudal; but as these are directed backwards they form 

 no support to the dorsal or anal, and should probably be 

 regarded as supplementary caudal rays. The head is flat 

 beneath, and in shape resembles a half cone. The breadth is 

 usually iV^lis of the length, reckoned from the tip of the 

 snout to the posterior margin of the operculum. The snout 

 is relatively long and spathulate ; the nasal filaments are 

 always well marked. The general colour is extremely 

 variable, but carmine or purplish red usually predominates. 

 Three small specimens sent to me by Mr Sinel from Jersey 

 were quite black, with white margins to the fins. These, 

 after being in spirit for some time, showed the two deep 



