THE EUROPEAN SEAS. 



103 



for our marine articulata. On close inspection, 

 however, the elegance of device on the carapaces 

 of many of our crustaceans is exceedingly admi- 

 rable. 



The fishes of the Celtic seas are not remarkable 

 for brilliancy of painting. Their hues are quaker- 

 like, though sufficiently lustrous for sober tinting, 

 The Cod and Flounder tribes are among the most 

 characteristic, and such of the more common fishes 

 as belong to families of which we have but few 

 representatives, are in most instances clothed in 

 sober grey and silver. Beauty of no mean charms 

 may, however, be displayed by these modest vest- 

 ments; witness the mackerel and the herring. 



Among the Celtic Wrasses are several exceptions 

 to this rule ; gorgeously decorated fishes. But 

 these belong to a family more characteristic of 

 seas to the south; for though there are a dozen or so 

 species of Labridce, haunting the mid-western coasts 

 of Europe, more than thrice that number are indi- 

 genous to the Mediterranean. A like deficiency in 

 the numbers of Spai^idce, Triglidce (the Gurnet 

 tribe), and Scombridce (the Mackerel tribe), seriously 

 affects the showiness of aspect of our piscine fauna, 

 when compared with that inhabiting the Mediter- 

 ranean. The Sharks and Kays too are compara- 

 tively deficient, although a few species are over- 

 sufnciently abundant. The sea-eels are also few, 

 although in the common Conger and the larger 

 Sand-eel (Ammodyles lancea) we have two very cha» 



