184 LUMPFISH. 



Greenland, this fish is an object of attention, and is sought for 

 with nets and long lines, the flesh being used either fresh or 

 salted and dried, and in the latter case it is even prepared for 

 exportation. Crantz informs us, however, that even in Green- 

 land it is not relished by every stomach. The roe is more 

 esteemed, and, when salted, is made into a sort of caviar, and 

 even exported as such. 



With us the Lumpfish is noticed rather for its grotesque 

 shape than for any remarkable properties which are supposed 

 to belong to it, and yet its history possesses no small degree 

 of interest in the view of those who feel pleasure in tracing 

 the wisdom whereby the structure of an animal is made to 

 exert its influence on its habits, or the latter are confirmed to 

 the former; as also in observing that combination of properties 

 by which some apparent defect is converted into a benefit, or 

 becomes balanced by organizations and instincts which afford to 

 their possessor some unexpected compensation. 



Unwieldy heaviness of form must necessarily prove an obstacle 

 to activity of motion, and thus it happens that the Lumpfish 

 becomes liable to the assaults of many formidable enemies; and 

 also, from the same cause, when the sea is lashed into fury it 

 possesses little active power to keep itself from being dashed 

 against the rocks. This last-named danger, however, is provided 

 against by the possession of that peculiar organization on' the 

 under part of its body, from which the genus, and this species 

 especially, derive their characteristic name. But to escape the 

 depredations of its enemies is a greater difficulty than to obtain 

 safety from the storm, although the rough tuberculated nature 

 of its covering might seem to offer it sufficient security. The 

 Seal is one of the most formidable of its enemies; and, with 

 all the eagerness of appetite, this creature displays also a high 

 amount of skill in ridding the fish of its skin before it pro- 

 ceeds to swallow the delicious morsel. A particular account of 

 the process by which the flaying is accomplished is given in 

 the "Zoologist" for the year 1851, by Mr, Harris, of Gamrie, 

 although not, in all its details, for the first time, as that 

 gentleman supposed. He remarks that this covering is fre- 

 quently floated in and deposited on the shore by the tide, 

 and, as usually seen, with the head and tail attached to it; 

 sometimes, however, the head is wanting. Judging from a 



