GEX. LUPUS. THE WOLF-FISH. 269 



an undulatory movement. The additions made by 

 Mr. Mudie to Cuvier's laconic remarks, in the late 

 excellent English edition of the Regne Animal, are 

 so much to the point, that we gladly avail ourselves 

 of them. The body of this fish is thick and lumber- 

 ing, whilst the form of the pectorals, the colours of 

 the front, the proximate condition of the eyes, and 

 the great teeth, give it much the appearance of a 

 Cat, or even of one of the more formidable animals 

 of that family. Its manners accord with its aspect ; 

 for it is remarkably strong, very active, and equally 

 ready to defend itself and attack an enemy. It 

 often enters the fishermen's nets for the purpose of 

 plundering them of the entangled fish; and when 

 the fishermen attack it, and it cannot dart through 

 the net, it fights like a lion. They maul it with 

 handspikes, spars, and such heavy lumber as they 

 may have in the boat ; but even when it is landed, 

 and apparently dead, they are not quite free from 

 its bite. This tenacity of life is illustrated by a 

 statement of Lacepede, who reports that one, taken 

 at Halifax in Canada, remained for a long time upon 

 deck, moving about with violence, and fiercely bit- 

 ing every thing presented to it, not excepting iron. 

 Owing to the savage and forbidding appearance, 

 many individuals have a decided antipathy to it, as 

 Pennant states of the inhabitants of Scarborough, 

 as an article of food ; but if properly dressed, it is 

 considered as very superior cheer. Both Low and 

 Donovan report its flesh is excellent, and Swainson 

 says, the flesh is much esteemed, but as the skin is 



