WRASSE, or RocK-Fisu, Labrus, a genus of fishes of the family labri&e (q.v.), of the sectiou having cycloid scales, cyclolabricke of Muller. They have spiny fins, large thin scales, and an uninterrupted lateral line The mouth is protrusible, with thick fleshy lips, folded so as to appear double. The teeth on the jaws are simple, in one or more rows; the lower pharyngeal bones are completely fused together, and have broad grind ing teeth. The form is somewhat perch-like, with the back more straight. There is a single long dorsal fin, the spines of the anterior portion of which are surmounted by short membranous filaments, the posterior portion having short and split rays. The ventral fins are under the pectorals. The colors are generally very brilliant. The species are numezous, abounding in tropical seas, but several of them are found on the i coasts of Britain. They chiefly frequent rocky shores, and are generally seen in small shoals, often hiding under sea. Needs. They feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and naariue worms. They are often caught by bait intended for other fish, but their flesh is not much esteemed. The BALLAN WRASSE (L. bergylta, or maculates) is one of the most common
British species. It attains a length of about 18 in., and a weight of more than 3 pounds. It is bluish-green, paler on the belly, all the scales margined more or less broadly with orange-red, the blue prevailing iu some' specimens, and the orange in others. The COOK WRASSE (L. mixtus, or ea riegatus) is not unfrequent on the southern shores of England. Its prevailing color is orange, striped transversely with blue, par ticularly in the male, the colors of the sexes differing so much that the female has often been described as a distinct species, and is generally known aS the RED WRASSE. There are several other British species of this and closely allied genera, as the CORKWINO (crenitabrus melops, or Linea), about 6 in. long, and of a greenish-blue color, varied with yellow. The colors quickly fade after the fish is taken out of the water.