WRASSES. 



77 



their thick lips, which are sometimes internally folded, a peculiarity 

 which has given to them the German term of " Lip-fishes/' They 

 feed chiefly on mollusks and crustaceans, their dentition being 

 admirably adapted for crushing hard substances. Others feed on 

 corals, others on zoophytes ; a few are herbivorous. Nearly all are 

 distinguished by their beautiful coloration, and some of the species 

 are, perhaps, the most gorgeously coloured in the whole class of 

 Fishes. Several species occur on the British coasts, belonging to 



Fte. 62. 



Wrasse (Labrus maculatus). 



the genera Labrus, Crenilabrus, Ctenolabrits, Acant ho labrus, Centro- 



labrus, and Curis. The Parrot- Wrasses (Scarus and Pseudoscarus) [° ase 15 -J 



Fi<?. 63. 



^H 



Parrot- Wrasse {Pseudoscarus troschelii). (From the Indian Ocean.) 



