Tanks No. 4, 10 and 26. 
83 
and 144) are graceful and brilliant fishes darting about the tank. They 
are possessed of intense curiosity and great greediness, devouring instantly 
anything that is thrown to them (tank 26). They are very sensitive to 
Fig. 145. Xirichthys novacula, ^2 nat. size. Tank 26. 
the cold, and retire into the sand 
at night; so that on a nocturnal visit 
to the tank only their heads can 
be seen protruding from the sandy 
bed. In cold wintry weather they 
remain in the sand all day, and al¬ 
ways take refuge there when alarmed. 
— The larger species of Labrus 
and Crenilabrus may often be seen 
resting at the bottom »of the tank 
leaning against a rock or stone, reminding one of the ground-loving fish. 
Fig. 146. 
Heliases cjiromis, ^ 
Tank 4. 
nat. size. 
Fig. 147. Serranus gigas, 1/4 nat. size. Tank 10 . 
Nearly allied is Xirichthys (Fig. 145, Tank 26),' which behaves exactly 
like Julis, and the small Heliases (Fig. 146, Tank 4), troops of which 
play about on all steep coasts. 
In sharp contrast to these lively forms are the phlegmatic Sea- 
perches, the largest and most easily kept of which is the Serranus gigas 
(Fig. 147, tank 10). It loves to remain for hours on the same spot, 
6* 
