40 
PISCES THORACICI. GOBIUS. 
beginning, but from the fifth ray, gradually decline; the pectoral broad, acuminate above; the ventral long, 
sword-form, near each other; the caudal long, entire, the middle rays a little longer than the rest, forming a 
blunt, or rounded point. 
The colour of both body and fins, nearly black; the belly of a darkish lead colour. An oblong white spot 
on each corner of the caudal fin. 
The length, of the subject described, including the caudal fin, one foot four inches. 
REMARKS. 
I have met with this fish at sea, of a lighter colour, and much larger size. They were found fixed on the 
bodies of sharks, which had been caught by hooks, and were with difficulty separated. I do not recollect seeing 
more than one on the same shark. 
GOBIUS. 
GENERIC. CHARACTER. 
Caput pons duobus inter oculos approximates: 
altero anteriore. Membrana branchios- 
tega radiis iv .; pinnce ventrales unita in 
ovatam. 
The eyes near each other; and two pores 
between them, one before the other. 
The branchial membrane consists of 
four ossicles ; the ventral fins united in 
an oval form. 
No. L. 
Gobius corpore maculis magnis , nigrescentibus; pinnis pectoralibus lanceolatis; cauda lata- 
ovata, acuminata. 
The Gobius, with large blackish spots ; lanceolate pectoral fins; the tail broad ovate, with 
a narrow point. 
Gobius Lagocephalus. Pall. Spic. 7g)ol. 8. p. 14. Tab. 2. Fig. 6.7. Linn. ed. Gmel. p. 1202. 
Called by the Natives Korah Motta. 
£. v. D. 6. li. P. 18 . V. 10 . A. io. C. is. 
The body oblong, roundish, compressed, squamous; the scales large, rounded, base truncate, imbricate, 
loose. 
The head large, elongated, depressed above, compressed on the sides, without scales. The mouth large, 
terminal; the lips thick. The lower jaw longer than the upper; teeth numerous, dissimilar, the larger reflex, 
the smaller straight. The tongue large, obverse, heart-form, sub-bifid at the base, smooth, pellucid, free. The 
palate smooth. The eyes high, nearly vertical, orbicular, prominent. The nostrils near the rostrum, veiy 
small, double. Two pores between the eyes. 
