VIVIPAKOUS FISH FROM COLUMBIA. 21 



Visitors to the seaside are nearly sure to find speci- 

 mens of this fish among the rocks, and if they try to 

 catch it they will immediately learn why it is called the 

 " butter-fish." 



The Viviparous Blenny (German : Die Aalmiitter, or 

 AalqiiajJj^e) brings forth its young alive. These seem per- 

 fectly able to provide for themselves the moment they are 



viviPAEors BLENNY {Dleiiuius Zoarces). 



produced. These little creatures, when very young and 

 transparent, form excellent objects for the microscope, 

 for viewing the circulation of the blood. The length of 

 this species is from ten to twelve inches. Its habits 

 resemble those of the other members- of the family, and 

 it is found on various parts of our coast, especially on 

 the northern and eastern shores. 



I have a fine specimen of a mother (viviparous blenny) 

 and young in my museum. By the side of this specimen 

 is a most interesting specimen of a viviparous fish 

 {Ditrema argenteiuii) from British Columbia. In this 

 case the young fish are seen in situ, not yet born, 

 packed closely together like the quarters in an orange. 

 It was presented to me by J. E. Lord, Esq. It is 

 described in his work, " The Naturalist in British 

 Columbia." 



Besides these another British blenny is the Yarrell's 

 Blenny. 



