THE WRASSES 197 



almost in line with the eye, and the female has a second spot, 

 smaller in size, on the pectoral fin. She is also marked with 

 yellow bands along the body. It cannot too often be urged 

 that the colours of all wrasses are liable to great modification, 

 and rarely constitute a satisfactory ground of distinction. The 

 scales are in at least fifty rows, and are consequently of small 

 size, and Day doubts whether the number differs according to 

 sex, as had been alleged. As in the case of the striped wrasse 

 and dragonet, however, the marked differences between male 

 and female long ago led to their being described as distinct 

 species; indeed, Ganther almost inclines (1880) to this view, 

 recognising both Cons julis and C. giofredi. 



This wrasse is common in the Mediterranean, and RafFaele 

 obtained its eggs in spring and summer. Holt found a similar 

 egg in Irish waters in June and July, and found that the newly 

 hatched larvae measured about yq ^^^ 



These, then, are our seven wrasses, and little more has 

 been attempted than to give some indication of their colouring 

 and relative size. They are among the least important of our 

 fishes, for they are neither fit for food for ourselves, nor are 

 they appreciated by our food-fishes. Even gulls refuse 

 them, as a rule. Whenever anglers catch a wrasse on 

 the Cornish coast, it is thrown back in the water as soon 

 as unhooked, for it is a slippery fish and apt to lead to 

 accidents if left lying about in the bottom of the boat. 

 Though often scarcely injured in the unhooking, since the steel 

 has merely penetrated its fleshy lip, the fish is unable to 

 descend in the water, owing to a peculiarity of the air-bladder, 

 and remains floundering at the surface. The gulls, large and 

 small, are at once attracted to the spot by the sight of a 

 struggling fish, but they merely hover, as a rule, over the fish 

 without further disturbing its struggles. 



