484 THE VIVIPAROUS BLENNY. 



This explains why it is so often found in empty mussel- 

 shells brought up from the bottom. It spawns at the 

 end of October, or it may be somewhat later. It is most 

 tenacious of life, and will survive long when out of its 

 native element. 



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The Viviparous Blenny, or Eel-Pout {Kiissa, Alkitssa, 

 Sw. ; Zoarces vic/jjants, Cuv.), is likewise common, both 

 on the eastern and western shores of Scandinavia, as high 

 up as the vicinity of the North Cape. Its usual length is 

 from ten to twelve inches, but at times it attains sixteen 

 or more. The female is generally larger than the male, 

 i'rom olden times tliis fish has been known to produce 

 living young ones, which circumstance, and its resem- 

 blance to the eel, gave rise to the notion that it was its 

 parent. To this very day the German and Danish popular 

 names, Aalmutter and Aalemoder, signify the mother of 



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the eel, and the Swedish appellation, Alkussa, has a similar 

 meaning. From its favourite resorts being stony bottoms 

 covered with Tuiuj, a kind of seaweed, taken in connection 

 with its somewhat resembling the Lake, or Burbot, it also 

 goes by the name of the Tuny-Lnkc. It is found every- 

 where, but sparsely, and seldom many together. Its food 

 consists chiefly of molluscs, crustaceans, etc., as also of 

 small fishes. Its flesh is firm and white, and in taste not 

 unlike that of the eel ; but in many places is not eaten, 

 owing to the green colour of the bones. 



The Viviparous Blenny breeds at no particular time. 

 At almost all seasons of the year, at least, one meets with 

 females ready to produce, and at the same time others 

 whose ova are still diminutive. It is in December and 

 January, however, that one most commonly finds partu- 

 rient females. This faculty of bringing forth living 

 young ones leads to the supposition that actual coitus 

 takes place between the sexes, and that the eggs are 

 impregnated whilst still in the body of the parent. The 



