THE BALLAN WRASSE. 
123 
D. 20|11 ; P. 15 ; V. 1|5 ; A. 3|9; C. 15, well developed. 
3rd, length 10^ inches. 
D. 20|11 ; P. 15 ; Y. 1|5; A. 3[9; C. 15, well developed. 
This specimen is green, like the previous two, but has also singularly 
disposed transverse markings, in a zig-zag form upon the back and sides. 
4th, length 20 inches. 
D. 20| 1 1 (two last touch at base) ; P. 15 ; Y. 1|5 ; A. 3[9 ; C. 15, well 
developed ; B. 5 ? 
The opercula and sides above lateral line in this specimen are beau- 
tifully marked, being covered with roundish green spots from 2 to 4 lines 
in diameter each, surrounded with an irregular ring of a brown colour ; 
below the lateral line this marking appears but in a faint degree, the 
sides, from the extremity of pectoral fins to tail, being regularly lineated 
as in Donovan’s figure. 
5th, length 19 inches. 
D. 20j 1 1 (two last join? at base); P. 15; Y. 1|5; A. 3]9 (two last 
touch at base); C. 15, well developed; B. 5 ? base of operculum of a 
dark orange colour, with pale green spots of a roundish form. 
The rays in branchiostegous membrane in this specimen, and in Nos. 1 
and 4, are marked 5 ? as this number only appears ; and, from the spe- 
cimens being stuffed, it cannot be stated whether there be more. Pen- 
nant gives four as the number in that of the Ballan wrasse . 
With Pennant’s description of Ballan wrasse these five specimens agree 
in the number of fin-rays, and also in possessing scales between the rays 
on the caudal fin (these scales do not appear on any other fins) ; with 
the same description they do not agree in colour, in considerable sinking 
between D. and C. fins (this cannot perhaps be judged of in stuffed speci- 
mens), nor in depression of gill-cover radiated from the centrQ (no such 
appearance being visible). 
In fin-rays these agree with L. Neustrica of Lacepede. He does not 
mention the colour, &c. 
[Two other specimens presented by the same gentleman to the Belfast 
Museum were thus noted by Mr. Thompson. — Ed.] 
1st specimen, 14^- inches in length; D. 17| 14 (reckoning two last, 
which touch at base, as 2); P. 15; V. 1 1 5 ; A. 14, total number; the 
three anterior rays are spiny, next two or three broken at point. C. 14. 
Furrow from snout to forehead is not so well marked as in the specimens 
of green wrasse which I have examined. 
Colour. — Anterior portion, or nearly a third of dorsal fin, black ; also 
the posterior half of tail, the extremity of anal fin, and of the two or three 
anterior rays of ventral fins. 
2nd specimen, 14 inches in length ; B. 5, distinctly seen ; D. 18| 13 ; P. 
15 ; V. 1 ] 5 ; A. 3| 1 1 ; C. 14 ; greater portion of tail towards the extremity, 
about ^ of the anterior portion of dorsal extremity of anal and of the three 
anterior rays of ventral fins, black ; the pectoral fins, I should think, were 
on both specimens clouded with black. 
One of Dr. Ball’s specimens from Youghal, 21 inches long, has the 
lineated appearance strongly marked. 
The following are the dimensions of a fish called Red Ravin by the per- 
son who preserved it, on account of its prevailing red colour. This has, 
however, entirely disappeared since the specimen was stuffed. 
Length 16^ inches. 
D. 21 1 1 1 ; P. 1|5 ; V. 15 ; A. 3|9 ; C. 15 ; B. 5. This fish is now of 
