338 VERTEBRATES: FISHES. 



The Genus Gunnellus has a much-compressed body, 

 spinous dorsal rays, and ventrals often reduced to a sin- 

 gle spine. 



The American Butter-Fish, G. mucronatus, Cuv., of the 

 Atlantic, is from four to twelve inches long, grayish, with 

 a series of dusky oval rings along the sides. 



The Genus Zoarces has an elongated body, dorsal, anal, 

 and caudal united, and no spinous rays in the dorsal 

 except in its posterior part. The Eel-shaped Blenny, or 



Fig. 210. 



Eel-Pout, Z. anguillaris, Storer. 



Eel-Pout, Z. anguillaris, Storer, is from twenty-four to 

 thirty-six inches long, dark olive-brown, varied with dusky 

 blotches. It is caught in fishing for Cod. 



The Genus Anarrhicas Wolf-Fish has a smooth, 

 elongated, and slimy body, globular head, dorsal and anal 

 distinct from the caudal fin, and teeth of two kinds, one 

 kind long, curved, and sharp, the other truncated or 

 abruptly rounded. Their dentition furnishes fishes of 

 this genus with powerful weapons, which, added to their 

 great size and ferocity, make them very dangerous antag- 

 onists. 



The Sea- Wolf, or Sea-Cat, A. vomerinus, Ag., of the 

 Atlantic, is from three to five feet or more in length, of a 

 gray color. 



The Genus Gobius Gobies has the thoracic ven- 

 trals united, either along their whole length, or at least 

 at the base, forming a hollow disk. The species are 

 small, some of them only two or three inches long, and 

 live among the rocks near the shore. Some of them are 

 viviparous. Over a hundred species are known. 



