MK. P. DAT ON SOME BETTISH FISHES. 315 



Ceenilabeus melops, Linn. 

 Crenilabrus Baillonii, Couch, Fish, of the Brit. Isles, hi. p. 45, pi. exxxii. 



I have no hesitation in uniting these two forms as figured by 

 Couch. I received from Mr. Carrington, nearly two years since, 

 a beautiful example of C. melops, var. Donovani, Cuv. & Val., 

 coloured as shown in my figure*. The specimen kept in spirit 

 has now lost nearly all its markings and become, on a casual 

 inspection, quite similar to Couch's figure. If the latter is ex- 

 amined, it will be seen that it has five rows of scales across the 

 cheek, and a dark mark behind the eye, as seen in C. melops, 

 whereas C. Baillonii, Cuv. & Val., has only two or three rows of 

 scales across the cheek and no dark spot behind the eye. Couch, 

 in introducing this fish to the British Fauna f, observes that he 

 does so " with some degree of hesitation ; but a drawing of one 

 which came a few years since into my possession, and which then 

 appeared to differ from the ordinary appearance of the Corkwing," 

 conveyed so near a likeness to Dr. Grunther's description of 

 Banian's Wrasse, that he inserted it. Identifications of Wrasses 

 simply from coloured sketches is at all times a dangerous plan ; 

 but when it becomes a question of two so nearly allied, it is 

 hardly justifiable. However, my kept specimen would be similar 

 to a fresh one some time from its native element ; and shows 

 the conclusion of Couch is inadmissible, his fish being C. melops, 

 Cuv. & Yal. 



On February 11th I received from Brixham two exceedingly 

 interesting examples of Pleuronectoids coloured on both sides of 

 the body, the one being a Brill, the other a Common Sole. The 

 remarkable phenomenon existed in both, that the eyes had gone 

 completely over in a perfectly regular manner to what should 

 have been the upper surface ; and, as will be seen in the coloured 

 drawings [exhibited], the dorsal fin is likewise in its normal posi- 

 tion in each specimen, or passing forwards anterior to either eye, 

 completely dividing the two sides of the head. 



Ehombus L-EVIS. 

 This example of the Brill is 21| inches in length; D. 81, A. 56. 



* Drawing exhibited at the Meeting. 



I In Catal. Fish. Brit. Museum, 1862, iv. p. 84, "British Channel" is 

 given as one locality of its habitat, but its capture there is not otherwise 

 referred to. 



