1918 Miles; on Behavior of Blennies 89 



water; and the above figures are high in comparison with those of any 

 previous analysis. In the above experiment it seems probable that suffi- 

 cient oxygen was supplied from the surface of the shallow water. Blen- 

 nies seem to be adaptable to an extent; and in the limited amount of 

 water, the diffusion through the body walls undoubtedly affected the degree 

 of salinity. However, in the extremes, both increased and decreased 

 salinity hasten death. 



Resistance to desiccation 



The fact that the blennies are often found entirely out of water, 

 but rarely dead, leads to interest in the resistance to desiccation. 5 indi- 

 viduals were placed in a large pan with stones and shells and floated on 

 a tub of cold water. The pan was placed where a very fine spray from 

 a faucet kept the fish damp, but the water was drawn off as it collected. 

 This gave much the same conditions as those beneath damp beach stones. 



After ineffectual attempts, apparently, to reach a more suitable posi- 

 tion the blennies lay on their sides and began gasping. Although very 

 sensitive to being touched they were quite inactive otherwise, and little 

 oxygen was used in movement. Later there was only occasional reaction 

 to touch, but if there was reaction at all, vigorous activity was shown. 

 After 30 hours they were removed to a large battery jar. As the air was 

 quiet here it is probable that COo increased somewhat at the bottom of 

 the jar. The spray was stopped, but a mucous secretion from the skin 

 prevented drying of the bodies, and all of the individuals were alive after 

 35 hours. After 36 hours 1 soon became about normal when placed in 

 water. 1 lived 48 hours and recovered slowly in water. The general 

 time for death was after 40 to 45 hours. In this experiment size seemed 

 to play a more important part than in any of the others. The blennies 

 weakened in an order the inverse of their size. The larger ones survived 

 best but also remained damp longest.* 



In the second experiment 5 blennies were floated as before but with 

 caution to make them dry. The tendency was to lie quietly with the 

 mouth somewhat open. Little response was given to prodding with a 

 pencil, although this was in no wise due to lack of ability for action. All 

 5 lived 14 hours and 1 lived nearly 36. The average time for death 

 was about 24 hours. 1 which was very weak died almost immediately 

 when placed in water. It seems that the rate of drying of the mucous 

 membranes affects the time of death directly. If these be moist deatli 

 is delayed indefinitely. 



* It slioulil lio stated tliat wliilo a clear divisiim dkl not apiiear het«c<'ii the sixvies, tlie larser 

 specimens were Xiphidion muc'isuin. 



