248 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
extend over an area of many square inches of the under 
surface of the rock selected. Over these eggs the male 
fish now mounts guard, vigorously repelling all would- 
be intruders with whom he can cope on equal terms, 
and in those instances in which the disturbing influences 
are apparently too strong for him — such as human 
interference — resorting, in self-defence, to an artful 
stratagem. On several occasions, when shore-collecting 
in the Channel Islands, the writer has, in fact, on turn- 
ing the rocks over in search of specimens, dislodged what 
at first sight, from the apparently large size of its head, 
was taken for a Bullhead {Coitus) but on closer exami- 
nation proved to be an example of the Rock Goby, with 
its opercula and branchiostegal membranes abnormally 
distended, with the evident intention of passing itself 
off as one of those spiny-headed Cottidce which are not 
to be handled with impunity. A like imitation of a 
hurtful or stronger form is adopted, as a. means of pro- 
tection, by harmless and weaker species in many de- 
partments of the Animal Kingdom.” 
No special fishery is carried on and no special tackle 
used for this fish. It is taken only by accident among 
other fishes. In Sweden the flesh, though its flavour 
is not disagreeable, is not used for human food, but 
is thrown away with other refuse as food for domestic 
animals. (Ekstrom, Smitt.) 
GOBI US FRI.ESII. 
(Fig. 65.) 
Second dorsal fin long , the length of its base being about, equal to the distance between the first dorsal fin and 
the tip of the snout. Peduncle of the tail short , but relatively low , its least depth being less than 1 / 2 the distance 
between the first rags in the first and second dorsal fins, and its length from the end of the base of the second 
dorsal fin to the first upper, supporting ray of the caudal fin about, V 3 of the base of the second dorsal fin. Longi- 
tudinal diameter of the eye more than l / 4 of the length of the head. Caudal fin pointed. The two dorsal fins 
well separated. Scales large, about 25 in a row along the sides of the body, and about 6 in a transverse row 
between the beginning of the anal fin and the second dorsal fin. In the front part, of the body the scales extend, 
along the dorsal side to the posterior margin of the eyes, which are set very close together, and on the abdominal 
side to a line with the point of union of the branchiostegal membranes to the isthmus. Body marked with golden 
or red or darker- coloured spots on a yellowish brown ground. 
Fig. 65. 
Gobiits Friesii , from Gullmar Fjord, 5th Jan., 1838. Natural size. After v. Wright’s figure in Fries. 
R. hr. 5: D. 6^; A P. 18 1. 1!); F. C. at+ 13(14) + *. 
Syn. Gobius gracilis, Fr., Vet.-Akad. Handl, 1838, p. 245, tab. 
IV, fig. 2; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 224. 
Gobius cruentatus, Gthr (nec Lin.), Cat. Brit. Mas., Fish., 
vol. Ill, p. 54 (in synon.). 
Gobius Friesii, Malm, Skand. Naturf. Mode, Kbhvn 1873, Bcr., 
p. 383; Coll., Christ. Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, p. 154; 
Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 425, Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fiskar , 
I, p. 573. 
This Goby is one of the least-known species within 
the genus, if indeed it do not finally prove, as Collett 
suspected, to be identical with a Mediterranean and 
somewhat better known species, Gobius Lesueurii c . The 
extent of the scales on the head in Gobius Friesii, and 
a According to Collett, 13. 
b 12 
ii ii ii 
c Risso, Hist. Nat. Princ. Prod. Eur. Mer., Tome III, p. 284; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss ., vol. XII, p. 33; Canestrini, Arch. 
Zool., Anat., Fis., Genova 1861, vol. I, p. 143, tab. VIII, fig. 2. 
