494 



FISHES. 



which they even propagate their species. All species readily 

 accustom themselves to fresh water, and some {B. vulgaris) 

 have become entirely acclimatised in inland lakes. British 

 species are B. gattoruginc (growing to a length of twelve 

 inches), B. occllaris, B. galerita, and B. j^holis, the common 

 " Shanny." 



Chasmodcs is a genus allied to Blcnnius, from the Atlantic 

 coasts of temperate North America. 



Petboscirtes. — Body moderately elongate, naked. Snout 



Fisr. 225.— Petroscirtes baukieri, from Hong-Kong. 



generally short. 



A single dorsal fin ; ventrals composed of two 

 or three rays. Cleft of the mouth 

 narrow ; a single series of immov- 

 able teeth in the jaws ; a strong 

 curved canine tooth behind this 

 series, that of the lower jaw much 

 stronger than that of the upper. 

 Head sometimes with tentacles. Gill- 

 Fig. 226.— Dentition of the same, opening reduced to a small fissure 

 eul'irge'^. above the root of the pectoral. 



Thirty species, from the tropical Indo- Pacific, of small 

 size. 



Salarias. — Body moderately elongate, naked ; snout short, 

 with transverse cleft of the mouth ; a series of numerous small 

 teeth in the jaAVs, implanted in the gum and movable ; generally 

 a curved canine tooth on each side of the lower jaw, behind the 

 series of small teeth. Dorsal fin continuous, sometimes divided 

 into two portions by a more or less deep notch without a de- 



