GEN. PHOLIS. THE SHANNY. 261 



than the rest, and somewhat curved. It varies 

 much in colour, so that scarcely two are alike. 

 Donovan's description, from a newly-caught speci- 

 men, was, that the upper parts and sides were 

 green, variegated with whitish spots, and brown 

 lines and spots ; beneath it was pure white, as were 

 the ventrals; the other fins were yellowish, with 

 green and brown spots : some are mottled with 

 reddish brown, others quite plain, and others are of 

 a uniform dusky brown colour. It eagerly takes the 

 baited hook ; spawns in June, and is never used as 

 food. 



The habits of the Shanny are in many points in- 

 teresting and peculiar. It abounds in great quan- 

 tities in rocky ground, between tide-marks ; is very 

 active and vivacious, and by the help of its ventral 

 fins creeps up the rocks with great facility ; it bites 

 extremely hard, and hangs on the fingers for a con- 

 siderable time; it is very tenacious of life, lives 

 for nearly a day out of the water, and feeds on 

 small crabs and more diminutive shell-fish. On 

 these points Dr. Parnell remarks, " Though so very 

 common, specimens are procured with difficulty; 

 not only on account of their activity, but also be- 

 cause the large stones, under which they conceal 

 themselves, are removed with difficulty ; and unless 

 this be accomplished, it will be almost impossible to 

 obtain one. In the month of August, I observed 

 many of these fish in a small pool of water which 

 had been left dry by the tide, and after dipping the 

 place dry, to my astonishmentt they had all disap- 



