Notes on the British S'jjccies 0/ Lepadogaster. 1G5 



common in the Mediterranean, and extends to the Channel 

 Islands, Cornwall, and the West Coast of Ireland. 



3. L. BiMACULATUS, Donov. 



Day gives the following fin-formula: — D., 5-7; P., 17; 

 v., 5 ; A., 4-6; C, 12. From a comparison of specimens 

 from the Mediterranean, Channel Islands, and West Coast of 

 Scotland, I have obtained the following formula : — IJ., ; 

 A., 5; C, 19-21. It is curious that eight or nine specimens 

 from such different localities should a^ree in having the 

 same number of rays in the dorsal and also in the anal. Xo 

 doubt a certain variation might be observed by a comparison 

 of a larger number of specimens, but one appears justified in 

 pointing out that there is usually one ray more in the dorsal 

 fin than in the anal. It should be noted that the whole of 

 the specimens included in the above summary have the two 

 lateral ocelli from, which the species derives its name {cf. PI. 

 VII., Fig. 6). It seems probable that the specimens without 

 the pair of lateral or rather latero-ventral ocelli may not 

 come under the species as here defined. I have not seen 

 any specimens from the English Channel which do not 

 appear referable to the species under consideration, but 

 it is well known that unspotted specimens have hitherto 

 been included in it, and it is apparently for such types that 

 Saville Kent has suggested the name L. Couchii. 



With regard to the number of rays composing the caudal 

 fin, in which^my observations differ considerably from those 

 of Bay,' I have usually found 20 rays. Twelve to fourteen of 

 these are strong, whilst three or four at both the dorsal and 

 ventral margins are short and slender. All the species of 

 the genus appear to agree in this respect, but the relative 

 development of the marginal rays varies considerably in the 

 different types. 



In addition to the fin-formula which I have already noted, 

 typical L. himaculatus may be distinguished from other 

 species of the genus, and particularly from L. microcephalus, 

 by the following characters : — (1.) The relatively broad and 

 short head, the width of which is iths to f ths of the length — 



