74 Mr. Couch on the Natural History 



acquired its common trivial name from its extreme rapacity, 

 rauning being the Cornish pronunciation of ravening. It 

 is sometimes found in great numbers, and is in season from 

 the end of summer to the spring ; but when it has depo- 

 sited its spawn it becomes emaciated in an extraordinary 

 degree. It is coarse food. In a fine summer evening 

 large sculls of the young of this fish are seen in the coves 

 and sandy bays sporting in all the luxuriancy of youth ; 

 whilst Cuttlefishes are employed in making that havock 

 among them, which when fully grown they make among 

 other fish. 



Hake. G. Merlucius. — This fish seems to wander much through 

 the ocean. When Pilchards make their appearance, it does 

 not fail to accompany them, and is then taken in consider- 

 able numbers. In spring it drops its spawn in sandy ground, 

 and at this season does not commonly take a bait. It is not 

 much esteemed as food. 



' '* ' Those of this genus which have no barbs at the mouth 

 swim at a higher elevati )n than the others, and take their 

 food principally as it swims. 



Blennius. 



Shanny. B. Pholis. — This fish is incapable of sporting with free- 

 dom in its native element; on the contrary, being of a 

 heavy make, and destitute of an air-bladder, as are most of 

 the genus, it takes up its residence on some rock, from 

 which it seldom wanders to any considerable distance; and, 

 as if afraid to depend too much on its powers of swim- 

 ming, which, though vigorous, are soon exhausted, it passes 

 from one resting-place to another by the shortest way ; and 

 is commonly supposed to be in danger of perishing if thrown 

 into deep water. When the tide retires, the rock which 



afforded 



