PLATE LXVIII. 
fins terminate close to the tail ; the caudal fin is rounded, consisting 
of fifteen rays, and is marked with two transverse bands. The 
Rucker, or organ of adhesion, is of an ovate form, the disk of which 
is radiated from a central longitudinal line, and the radius is divided 
>nto many lobes or compartments by means of oblique curved lines ; 
the surface of this part is flat, but forms a prominent rim to the disk. 
The whole fish when alive is diaphanous, and the fins are remarkably 
pellucid. 
The above description was obligingly communicated to us by 
Mr. Montagu, who accompanied this account with an elegant 
drawing taken from the fish while living, or very recent, and 
kept in sea-water under the lens of a microscope for that pur- 
pose ; and it is from this drawing the figures in the annexed plate 
ar e copied, not having ourselves been so fortunate as to meet with 
this curious fish. This is a liberty in which we can scarcely think 
tt right to indulge, having already professed our intention of con- 
fining ourselves, in this Work, to those particular species of British 
fish that happen to fall under our immediate observation, and the 
originals of which are in Our own possession. The present is a so- 
litary, and it is presumed an excusable deviation from our design, to 
t'dfich we have acceded, in our desire to enrich the British Fauna with 
a n interesting fish, that might have otherwise been omitted : we neither 
distrust the accuracy of the drawing, or the account sent with it, 
c onsidering the respectable quarter from whence it was received ; but it 
ls notwithstanding proper to acquaint the reader upon what authority 
s uch a novelty is introduced. 
This minute kind of Cyclopterus is brought forward as a new 
s Pecies with some caution. Its diminutive size forms no positive 
l 2 
