of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



223 



The specimen is 6;^ inches long, and of a deep, red-brown colour, paler on 

 the ventral surface. There were none of the darker transverse bands 

 usually found in this species. The supraorbital tentacles were well de- 

 veloped and very much branched ; indeed, quite plumose. The first three 

 rays of the dorsal fin each end in a plumose tuft, the anterior one the 

 largest. The pectoral fin is more rounded than that figured by Day 

 (British Fishes^ vol i. pi. Ix. fig. 3), and only reaches within half an inch 

 of the anal I notice that in his account of the generic character of 

 Carelophus, Day says the lateral line is absent. In his figure, already 

 referred to, a lateral line is, however, shown. This proceeds in a straight 

 line forwards from the centre of the caudal fin to a point over the vent. 

 It then takes a slight curve upwards, and terminates about the centre of 

 the upper margin of the operculum. In the specimen here referred to the 

 lateral line is quite distinct, and extends in a straight line for the whole of 

 its length, and terminates at the point of union of the branchio-stegal rays 

 with the apex of the operculum. The bathymetric range of this fish is 

 very considerable. In Scotland it has frequently been captured between 

 tide marks. M'Intosh records it as not uncommon in deep water at St 

 Andrews, and states that it is occasionally found in the stomach of the 

 cod. In the south of England it frequents the deeper water, and is rarely 

 found at a depth of less than 5 to 8 fathoms (Day), while during the 

 'Porcupine' Expedition it was taken between Shetland and Faro at a 

 depth of 180 fathoms. 



3. Ctenolabriis mpestris, L. The goldsinny, or pink brame. — This species 

 of wrasse does not appear to have been often recorded from the Scotch coast. 

 Edward records one specimen at Banfi". Parnell says it is occasionally cast 

 ashore in the Firth of Forth, and Johnston obtained three near Berwick 

 in 1836. I have found it frequently in Loch Fyne from May to August, 

 particularly near the east shore of the Loch. It is local in its distribution, 

 but is usually taken in considerable numbers where found. I found it to 

 prefer a depth of 10 to 15 fathoms, and seldom met with it in shallower 

 water. Examples which were preserved vary from 3 J to 5 J inches in 

 length. The dark spot at the base of the caudal fin near the dorsal surface 

 is very marked. The dark patch on the dorsal fin extends over the first 

 three rays, though occasionally it may be a little longer. The teeth are in 

 several rows, the outer of which is very well developed. The three 

 anterior rays of the anal fin contain well developed spines. This species 

 spawns in June in Loch Fyne, and the eggs are pelagic. Two batches of 

 eggs were laid in one of the tanks at Tarbert, but they were not fertilised. 

 The eggs after preservation have a diameter of about '81 mm., and do not 

 contain a distinct oil-globule. 



4. Centrolahrus exoletus, L., the smaU-mouthed Wrasse, or Rock Cook. 

 — A specimen of this species was taken in a trawl near Tarbert in June 

 last, and another in July. In the latter case there were several Gtenolahriis 

 rupestris in the same haul. In general appearance the two species are 

 very similar, and the present species might easily be overlooked. Its body 

 is, however, more flattened and deeper than that of the previous species, 

 and there are no dark patches at the base of the caudal or at the anterior 

 extremity of the dorsal fin. The anal fin has five spines. The teeth are 

 in a single row, and very much smaller than in the preceding species. The 

 Tarbert specimens are about 5 inches in length, and one is a little mottled 

 with small black spots. So far as I am aware the only other Scotch 

 localities for this fish are Kirkwall (Baikie) and Banff (Edward). It is 

 essentially a northern species, but appears to be frequently met with on 

 the South Coast of England 



5. Motdla cimhria, L., Four-bearded RockUng. — A small specimen of 



