m 
SLENDER GOBY. 
Gobius gracilis, C. 
If we may judge from the discrepencies that are seen in 
the descriptions of a species under the name of the Slender 
Goby, and the disagreement between the description and the 
figure in a popular and generally excellent work, we cannot 
avoid the conclusion that more than one, or even than two 
kinds of Gobies have been confounded together under this 
name. It appears useless to attempt to decide in this case, as 
to the question which of these authorities is to be followed, 
and therefore under this title we give a figure and description 
of a fish which, from its form and proportions, seems well 
entitled to bear the designation. The difference from those 
which we have already represented will scarcely be disputed; 
but of its distinguishing habits we are not able to say more 
than that it was taken, with others of the same genus, near 
the shore in the bay of Weston-super-Mare, in Somersetshire. 
It measured an inch and a half in length; the greatest 
depth at about the root of the pectoral fin, from whence it sloped 
gently to the snout; and from the first dorsal fin becoming 
more slender posteriorly, but most so behind the vent. Lower 
jaw a little the longest; the gape a little oblique. Eyes con- 
spicuous, high on the cheeks. Dorsal fins widely apart; the 
rays of the first of equal length; anal fin shorter than the 
second dorsal, but ending together. Tail with the middle rays 
lengthened, and consequently almost lancet-shaped. Colour 
dark, especially on the back; sides and belly pale yellow, with 
dark spots, which are largest along the lateral line. 
The White Goby of Dr. Parnell has fallen under my notice 
in Cornwall, but, from its very minute size and diaphanous 
appearance, I regard it as the young of some better-known 
species. It is the Gohius albus of Yarrell’s “British Fishes,” 
vol, i, p. 295; Latrunctilus albus, Gunther’s “Catalogue of 
British Museum,” vol. iii, p. 80. 
