LANCE-TAILED GOBY. 235 



closely set together, and the middlemost the longest : 

 the others on each side gradually shorter : the 

 ventral fins coalesce, and form a sort of funnel, by 

 which these fish are said to affix themselves im~ 

 moveably to the rocks ; for which reason they are 

 called by the name of Roch*Fish ; the tail is rounded 

 at the end : the general colour of the fish is dusky 

 or blackish ; but this, on close inspection, is owing 

 to numerous small dusky or blackish specks, ac- 

 companied by brown or olive coloured bars and 

 clouds disposed on a whitish ground : the dorsal 

 and anal fins are of a pale blue ; the rays marked 

 with minute black spots. This fish is a native of 

 the mediterranean and northern seas, and some- 

 times enters the mouths of the larger rivers, par- 

 ticularly in the beginning of summer, at which 

 season it deposits its spawn on stones near the 

 shores. It is in the number of edible 5 fish, but is 

 in no particular estimation. 



L AN C E-T AILED GOBY. 



Gobius Lanceolatus. G.fusco-flavescens, squamis versus caudam 



mqjoribus, cauda elongato-acuminata. 

 Yellowish brown Goby, with the scales increasing in size 



towards the tail, which is large, elongated, and sharp-pointed. 

 Gobius lanceolatus. G. cauda longissima acuminata. Block. 



t. 38. /. 1. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel.p. 1203. 



This species is distinguished by the peculiar 

 form of its tail, which is large in proportion to the 

 animal, and sharp pointed at the tip : the body is 



