THE GENUS BLENNIUS. 63 



The first dorsal fin is higher than the second. It is above the pectoral fin 

 when that fin is laid back. It contains six rays. The second dorsal fin, 

 which is opposite to the anal fin^ commences behind the vent. The anal fin 

 is rather shorter than the second dorsal. The colour of the body is yellowish- 

 whitC;, varied with minute yellowish or black spots, with occasional large 

 spots along the lateral line. The caudal fin is vertically barred with rows of 

 spots. 



Another variety, named G. minufus by Eckstrom, is found in the Eiver 

 Gotha, in Sweden, where it was taken from the stomach of Cottus scorpiits. 

 It is under three inches in length. Giinther proposes to name it G. 

 ecksirdmii, since it differs from G. minutus in having one spiny ray, and 

 thirteen soft rays in the second dorsal fin, instead of nine to eleven rays, as in 

 G. minutus, and one spiny ray and eleven soft rays in the anal fin, instead of 

 the nine or ten soft rays of the spotted Goby. 



Family: BLENNIID^. 

 Genus: Blennius (AiiTEDi). 



The BlenniidiB are a group of carnivorous fishes most frequently found 

 as bottom fishes along shores, but with some representatives in fresh waters. 

 The fishes are long with somewhat depressed or sub-cylindrical bodies, naked 

 in some genera and covered with small scales in others. They are characterised 

 by having no articulation between the sub-orbital ring and the pre-oi3erculum. 

 The dorsal fin may be in one, two, or three parts ; sometimes the whole fin is 

 composed of spines, sometimes the spinous part and the soft part may be equally 

 developed, but in any case the dorsal fin usually extends along nearly the 

 whole of the back. The ventral fins are always jugular, except in the genus 

 Pseudo-blennius of Japan, in which they are thoracic. They are formed by 

 fewer than five rays. In the elongated genus Nemophis both caudal and 

 ventral fins are absent. 



Usually there is no air-bladder; and there are no pyloric appendages. The 

 genera are defined according to the presence or absence of molar teeth, and 

 the condition of the dorsal, venti-al, and caudal fins. Some are known to be 

 viviparous, such as the marine Zoarces, and others build a nest and care for 

 the young in a manner that resembles the habit of the Stickleback. 



Blennies are abundant in all temperate and tropical seas. They are mostly 



