THE BLACK GOBY. 241 



height. Anal fin commencing 1 under the third ray of the second dor- 

 sal, ending under the last ray of the same fin, leaving a wide space 

 between it and the base of the caudal fin ; ventrals united ; the 

 middle rays the longest, about the length of the pectorals, placed 

 under the chest in a line with the origin of the pectorals ; middle rays 

 of the pectoral fin the longest, equalling the length of the caudal rays ; 

 behind the vent a small tubercle. Teeth small and fine, placed in 

 two or three rows in front of each jaw, those composing the first 

 row longer and farther apart from each other than those within ; no 

 teeth on the tongue, vomer, or palatines. Eyes high on the head, 

 approximating, placed in a line over the angle of the jaw ; lateral line 

 scarcely perceptible, straight throughout its course. Scales large, 

 ciliated at their free margins, about forty in the course of the lateral 

 line ; much smaller on the nape, placed on a reddish-brown patch ; 

 tail rounded at the end ; the first rays of the anal fin shorter than 

 the terminating ones. Number of fin rays — 



1st D. 6 ; 2d D. 14 ; P. 19 ; V. 10 j A. 12 ; C. 13 ; B. 5. 



This species of goby, on account of its inhabiting rocky 

 situations, has received the name of rock-fish, differing 

 greatly in habits from the rest of the gobies. Mr Couch has 

 met with it on the coast of Cornwall, and has observed a pecu- 

 liarity in its habits, in which it resembles the shanny, — that 

 of carrying off its prey in its mouth to a resting-place, and 

 there struggling with it. Colonel Montagu has frequently 

 taken it on the south coast of Devon, in the estuary of Kings- 

 bridge. Off Brixham I myself have seen it captured of large 

 size, measuring from six to six and a half inches in length. 

 It can be traced as far north as the Orkneys. In the 

 Firth of Forth I find this fish rather scarce, having seen 

 but three specimens, and those were taken at the Joppa 

 Rocks east of Portobello. They spawn in June. Their 

 flesh is of little value, serving only as food for other fishes. 



Befo; e the appearance of Mr Yarrell's very valuable work 

 on fishes, all previous authors described the whole of the 

 British gobies under two synonyms, that of G. niger, and 



VOL. VII. Q. 



