THE WRASSES i93 



This Is one of the largest wrasses in our seas, and it is the 

 kind to which the scientific name of bergylta has been applied 

 (from the Orkney name " bergle "), already objected to as 

 likely to lead to confusion with the true bergylt. The allusion 

 to a pig is evidently intended in this case, for " sea-swine " is 

 another Scotch name for the fish, probably In allusion to the 

 thick lips. This last character has gained for all the wrasses 

 collectively the German trivial name " lip-fishes." 



The ballan wrasse feeds on small fishes, molluscs, and worms. 

 Like most of our wrasses, it is more plentiful in the Channel 

 than farther north, though it occurs round the Orkneys as 

 well as in the waters of Shetland. Like the herring, this wrasse 

 differs from the rest of its family in depositing heavy eggs, 

 which are hatched in a seaweed nest. Mr. Matthews secured 

 such nests from Skye, and found the spawn adhering to them.* 

 The eggs were still alive when they reached Edinburgh, and 

 the newly hatched larvae, which measured about ^ in., were 

 extremely active, living ten days in damp seaweed. At about 

 J in. traces begin to appear of the later brilliant colouring, in 

 the form of brown bands and white spots and patches. 

 Mcintosh alludes to the rapid movement of the pectoral fins, 

 recalling the pipe-fishes. 



The Connor, or Corkwing {Crenilabrus melofs), is a smaller 

 kind, which rarely exceeds 9 in. It is readily distinguished 

 by the dark bands down the sides, as well as by the re- 

 markable rings, with or without dark centres, on the fins. 

 The ground-colour of the fish is some variable shade of brown 

 or red, with green and yellow reflections. Three or four 

 light bands pass along the cheek, that immediately beneath 

 the eye often having a dark centre. In most examples, 

 too, there is a black spot immediately in front of the tail- 

 fin, but this may be wanting. The colours and markings 

 here given will be found to answer with many specimens; 

 but there is great variation, not merely in the colouring, 

 * Mcintosh and Masterman, op. cit. p. 230. 



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