268 MALACOPTERYGII. — CYCLOPTERIDiE. 
their superior parts variegated v^ith shades of dark 
blue, bright blue, and purple ; while the inferior 
parts, and all the fins, are of the richest orange 
colour. This perfection of colour, however, is 
only seen at the breeding season in spring ; after 
LUMP SUCKER. 
this is over, the red tints disappear, the blue and 
purple become dull, and the brilliant effect is 
lost. Its excellence as food is in proportion to 
the gaiety of its dress. 
Some interesting points in the domestic economy 
of this fish, its parental affection and courage, 
have been noticed in a previous page of this 
work.^ 
See p. 23. 
