228 SHANNY. 



characteristic habits could not be indulged, or the skin would 

 become scorched and dry, and death would inevitably be the 

 result. 



It is obvious from these well-known habits, as well as from 

 experiment, that this fish is highly retentive of life; and 

 accordingly it has remained alive for several days when only 

 covered over with moist sea-weeds. Lacepede records an 

 instance where, as he supposed, a Shanny had made an attempt 

 to feed on an oyster that lay with its valves open, in consequence 

 of which it became shut up a prisoner by the closing of the 

 shell. In this condition of confinement the fish had continued 

 so long that the oyster had been dredged and carried to a 

 considerable distance, when on opening it the captive was 

 again set free, alive and without injury. It is necessary, 

 however, that, in aid of this life-sustaining power, the moisture 

 with which it is enveloped should be of sea water, for that 

 which is fresh is fatal to it. 



As the flowing tide comes to its habitation in the rock the 

 Shanny is seen to glide from it in search of food, which is 

 whatever it can obtain of an animal substance; and of which, 

 with its well-arranged cutting teeth, it bites off portions, with 

 an apparent struggle before it devours it. It feeds also on 

 small shell-fish, and the sessile barnacles of the rocks. But in 

 the eagerness of search it is exceedingly jealous of the inter- 

 ference or near approach of one of its own kind, which it 

 immediately endeavours to drive beyond its own range of dominion, 

 with the chance of a battle on the intruder. It is therefore not 

 common to find two in or near the same hole; and when one 

 was placed in a tank in which another had lived long alone, 

 a speedy battle was the result. In consequence of this pro- 

 pensity of combat it is an amusement of children to set them 

 fighting; when they will lay hold of each other with the teeth 

 and long retain the grasp, as they will also do on the head, 

 although not capable of inflicting a wound. It may be partly 

 from the dread of combats with each other that these fishes 

 wander but little from their accustomed haunts; but it may 

 also proceed from a want of power, for the heaviness of the 

 body and head, and the absence of an air-bladder, are hindrances 

 to raising themselves high in the water or passing over a con- 

 siderable depth. 



