Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/155

114 rare of twice that size. The colour is green, more or less brilliant; large and well-coloured individuals may be confounded with the Green Wrasse (Labrus Donovani), which is also not rare with us; but the little Corkwing may be distinguished by having the fore gill-plate minutely toothed along its free edge, and by a black spot on each side of the tail, just before the commencement of the tail-fin. Mr. Yarrell speaks of the Green Wrasse as if it were a great rarity; but I have had many specimens, some of which agreed accurately with Donovan's beautiful figure. It attains six or seven inches in length. To both species Ovid's descriptive line will apply:—

for all the Wrasses have the mouth small, though the lips are thick; and all may be designated by the term Saxatilis, or Rock-fish.

The little Corkwing frequents the fissures in the rocky ledges, and is abundant all along the quays within the harbour, hiding beneath the hanging fringe of Fuci, that grows between tide marks. The prawn-catchers take them abundantly with their dipnets, when raking these sea-weeds; in company with the Fifteen-spined Stickle-back (Gasterosteus spinachia), and other small harbour-fishes.

A little Corkwing about two inches long, more than usually pretty, being of a bright green hue, with the caudal spot distinct and black, was a tenant of the Tank from the first. He was a fish of business never for a moment did he swim about as if at leisure, but incessantly pursued one occupation, that of