THE GEMMEOUS DRAGONET. 249 



the pectorals ; the first ray very much produced, reaching- when folded 

 down to the base of the caudal fin. In some specimens this ray 

 does not reach quite so far, but invariably extends beyond the base 

 of the last ray of the second dorsal. The second ray about half as long 

 as the first, the other two rays in that fin rapidly decreasing ; second 

 dorsal fin commencing close behind the first, and ending in a line 

 over the last ray but three of the anal ; the first ray equalling the 

 height of the third ray of the first dorsal ; the last ray the longest, 

 branched at the summit; the rest simple. Anal fin commencing 

 in a line under the third ray of the second dorsal ; the last ray twice 

 as long as the first, and reaching when folded down to the base of 

 the caudal rays ; pectorals pointed, the middle rays the longest, ex- 

 tending to the third ray of the anal ; all branched except the first ; 

 ventrals placed before the pectorals ; the first ray about half the 

 length of the last, which is the longest, reaching to the first ray of 

 the anal ; the four first rays branched on one side only, presenting 

 a feather-like appearance. Head one-third the length of the body, 

 caudal not included ; operculum rounded, covered by a membrane 

 which nearly closes the branchial aperture, leaving only a small hole 

 on each side of the nape, close by the origin of the lateral line ; pos- 

 terior border of the preoperculum greatly produced, ending in four 

 strong short spines, two of which are directed upwards, the third 

 points towards the base of the pectorals, and the fourth, which is 

 placed underneath, points towr.rds the snout. Most authors state 

 the preoperculum to have but three spines. Eyes rather large, placed 

 high on the head, approximating ; under jaw the shortest. Teeth 

 small and fine, placed in many rows in front of each jaw, none on 

 the tongue, vomer, or palatines ; lateral line prominent, commencing 

 immediately above the branchial aperture, taking a slight curve over 

 the base of the pectorals, from thence passing straight to the tail ; 

 both lines unite at the nape by extending across the occiput to meet 

 with its fellow on the opposite side ; caudal fin rounded at the end ; 

 . all the rays branched except the two lateral ones. Number of fin rays — 

 1st D. 4; 2d D. 9 ; P. 20 ; V. 5 ; A. 9; C. 9. 



The Gemmeous Dragonet is an inhabitant of the Medi- 

 terranean, and, according to authors, has been found as far 

 north as off the coast of Norway. Mr Yarrell considers it 

 as not a common fish on our coast. It has been taken on 

 the coast of Cumberland and Belfast, and occasionally in 

 Cornwall. Colonel Montagu considers it rate at Salcombe, 

 on the coast of Devon ; yet at Exmouth I found it not 



