THE BLENNY FAMILY. 209 



than the others. The caudal has 19 or 20 rays, 13 of which 

 are long. Day gives the following as the fin-formula of the 

 adult:— D. (1) 11—12, (2) 18—20; P. 13; V. 2; A. 18—20; 

 C. 13. The margin of the anal fin is even, so that its entire 

 length would be useful in progression. It is thus in mai-ked 

 contrast to the high arch of the dorsal fin. The surface in front 

 of the vent is deeply grooved and the margin papillose, the 

 genital papilla occurring posteriorly. The teeth are sharp and 

 well-developed. A flap with a bifid extremity overhangs the 

 lower nasal opening. 



Those captured in September (22nd) ranged from 20 to 

 32 mm. In the former case the breast-fins are beautifully 

 speckled with black pigment, and a little also occurs on the 

 ventrals. The dorsal fins are very minutely dotted with the 

 same colour, those on the rays being most visible. In this, as 

 in the longer forms in August, the high arch of the dorsal fins 

 was marked. In both, all traces of the larval tail had dis- 

 appeared. A short third ray in the ventral fins is quite 

 evident behind the second, and the process over the lower 

 nasal opening is present. The curve of the lateral line is 

 distinct above the breast-fin. 



That at 31 mm. shows a decided increase in the pigment 

 all over the fins, and traces of six bars are seen dorsally. The 

 third ray of the ventrals is still visible, and the great size of 

 the two rays is characteristic, though it is true all the fins 

 have strong rays. The two short rays at the commencement of 

 the anal are likewise distinct. The bifid flap over the lower 

 nostril is very prominent. The lateral line ceases a little 

 behind the tip of the pectoral. 



The variation in regard to spawning is indicated by two 

 specimens captured in a rock-pool on the 7th October, and 

 which are 19 and 26 mm. respectively. The large black 

 chromatophores on the breast-fins of that at 19 mm. are 

 striking, and resemble those on breast-fins of the young long- 

 spined bull-head; whereas at a later stage they are less evident. 

 Parasitic Galigi occur on these forms. 



On January 24th a specimen of 32 mm. was obtained, and 

 it showed chiefly adult characters, though the gap in the dorsal 

 M. p. 14 



