50 REPORT— 1872. 



Most of these have been confined in the pond, where they generally appear 

 to acclimatize themselves readily. The exceptions appear to be among those 

 species whose habits are of an erratic character, as the Mackerel {Scomber 

 scombrus). Several specimens of this species have been placed in the 

 pond, where the imprisonment alone seemed to operate prejudicially upon 

 them. They appeared to roam from point to point, seeking an outlet ; but 

 finding none, they one after another succumbed to their altered conditions 

 and died, iiut other fish not only live but thrive well, apparently having no 

 consciousness of any altered circumstances in their existence. These, from a 

 constant and close inspection, will, I hope, furnish us with opportunities of 

 recording notes of their habits and ways that cannot be obtained under less 

 favourable conditions. 



The beautiful Blue Wrasse (Labrus mixtus) has already given us an 

 instance that is important in the history of its life, in the decided preference 

 it exhibits in sexual selection. It was not until it had been observed in 

 confinement that the Blue Wrasse and the Spotted Wrasse were known to be 

 one and the same species. The male is very much more rare than the female, 

 and is probably supposed to be more rare than it is, from the fact that those 

 that have been confined in the pond at Plymouth appear to be losing the 

 distinguishing colours and assuming that of the female as the summer time 

 is passing on, so that there is much reason to believe that the beautiful deep- 

 blue colour only exists, or at least is much more intense, during the pairing 

 or breeding time. 



During this period the male has been seen to select its special favourite 

 out of a considerable number of females congregated in the pond, and faith- 

 fullj'^ accompany her as she swam about from place to place. In accordance 

 M'ith this same observation, Mr. Alford Lloyd, of the Cr3'stal-Palace Aquarium, 

 informed me that when at Hamburg he had noticed this peculiarity, and first 

 drew my attention to it. He said that having a veiy handsome specimen of 

 the Blue Wrasse, he placed him into a tank of water alone : instead of 

 conducting himself like an orderly fish and swimming quietly, he for some 

 time swam eagerly about in search of change ; but not finding it, he took the 

 unusual freak of jumping out of the tank ; this he did two or three times. 

 Fearing to lose him, it was determined to put another in with him ; and a 

 female specimen was selected. This appeared to have no very favourable suc- 

 cess, for the Blue Wrasse most ungallantly chased her about, and tried to drive 

 her from his presence. Another female was selected, with the same result. 

 It was then determined to place the original specimen into a tank in which 

 there were several swimming peacefully about, among which were many un- 

 selected females. Immediately the transfer was made, the animal swam 

 amongst the forlorn group and fixed on one, by no means the handsomest of 

 her sex, and selected her as his mate. With this one he was returned to his 

 own tank ; and here he conducted himself in a peaceful manner, never 

 attempting again to jump out of the tank in which he was confined. 



I have also to record the capture of a specimen of the Bogue (S])arus hoops, 

 L.), llg inches long ; when it was brought to me it was in a very beautiful 

 state of preservation. Of this species there have been but two or three speci- 

 mens taken, and these scarcely so fine as the specimen now recorded. It 

 was taken in a trawling-net, and brought in alive, but did not survive its 

 capture. The specimen is preserved in the collection of the Museum of the 

 Plymouth Institution. 



Mr. Brooking Rowe informs me that in July last a specimen of the German 

 or Long-finned Tunny (Orcynus alcdonja) was taken in the Laira estuary. 



