PLATE LXXXIII. 
Vieillc, Poule de Mer, Gallot. Belon. 
Wrasse, or Old Wife. Raii sx/n.pisc. 136 
Penn, Brit. Zoel. v, 3. p, 244. 115. 
This charming species of Wrasse cannot but be considered as one 
of the most beautiful of the fish tribe observed to this time on tlie 
coasts of Britain : it is distinguished in general by a peculiar richness 
of colouring, and such a happy diversity of spots and markings, as 
we rarely see excelled in the more splendid productions of hotter 
climates; and, with the exception of a very few species, stands 
wholly unrivalled in this particular among the fishes of this country. 
Wc have obtained this species from Scarborough, and other 
Eastern coasts of England, more than once : we have received It 
also from Cornwall ; from the Skerry islands, north of Anglesea ; 
and from Scotland; but have been uniformly led to believe it ® 
species not very common on either of those coasts, except near 
Scarborough. The specimen chosen for our figure is from Corn- 
wall, this exhibiting a greater variety of brilliant colours than either 
of the others. The usual length of this species is about fifteen or 
eighteen inches, and its form rather bulky in proportion to h* 
length. The prevailing colour is yellowish, inclining to greenish or 
olivaceous on the back, and white towards the belly : the marking* 
variable in form, and differing much in colour. The whole of rh® 
back and sides are spotted with red, varying in different specimen* 
from a deep or purplish crimson to a reddish orange; and even 
in some varieties almost to fulvous, and curiously marked wid* 
irregular lines, dots, and specklings of cceruleati blue, especially 
