92 ACCOUNT OF FIVE RARE SPECIES 



colour, such variation must be attributed to inci- 

 dental circumstances attendant on the infant state, 

 not less observable in many other fishes. I have 

 been equally puzzled with the fry of Cyclopterus 

 bimaculatus, which are of a green colour, minutely 

 speckled with blue, and without the smallest trace 

 of the pectoral spots : in this state, the body is 

 proportionally longer, and differs a little in the 

 shape of the fins. The C. Cornubicus, when 

 very young, are also destitute of the two dorsal 

 ocellate blue spots, and the tail is frequently most 

 elegantly barred # . 



As this difference might hereafter lead to some 

 confusion without explanation, and as Mr Do- 

 novan has not, in the subsequent part of his 

 work, given any additional figure or description, 

 I have thought it proper to submit a figure of it 

 to the Wernerian Society, together with descrip- 

 tive remarks. 



The Cyclopterus Montagui, in the adult state, is 

 about two inches long : the body is rounded as far 

 as the vent ; the posterior end somewhat compres- 

 sed : head broad, a little depressed, and inflated 

 about the gills : mouth moderately large ; both 

 jaws armed with several rows of minute teeth : 

 eyes small, and placed high ; irides, golden ; pu- 

 pil, dark blue, and when alive, angulated at the 



* v The name of this species has lately been unfortu- 

 nately changed for that of ocellatus* 



