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857 



of six or seven feet, l>ut in tin- northern seas, where it thrives Ix-st. it i: rvatly exceeds 

 those dimensions. Theiv is an Anu-rii-an varifty where tin- v-ni.-:il -n.ak-> are m<><liliHl into 

 roiin nf l.lai-ki-li l>ntwn. 



The s-a \\'olf is taken liy tin- fishermen of Swampscott, ami along the shores of New 

 Kiik'laml. in winter freqm-nth . ami once was con-id. -red a nuisance, as it interfered with <-od- 

 tishing. It lia.s UHMI foiiml to ! a \aliial>le food-fish, since tin- considerable advance in the 

 price nf i -04 1 -fish and had.l.H-k. IU.-nni.-s ure nunien>iis anioiiir th<- rookaon the eastern coast 

 tin- Hiitt.-r-li>li ain.'MLC tli.-in. 



Tli.- : \ i i'-al genus of this family in represented by serend specimens, of which the ETKD 

 Mu:\\\ i- oin- <.f the nuwt conspicuon-. 



This j.n-tty li>h i-< not very common. From the elevated dorsal fin, and the bold dark 

 lmwn >|K.t that decorates it, this Hlmny has tiometimes been callixl the Butterfly-fish. In the 

 .Mr<litT!-aiii-an it is t<il-i-al>ly cotiiinon. ami \\\<- mostly among the s'awf-<l, where it finds 

 abumlam of the smaller crustacea and mollusks. 



The dorsal fin of this lisli i^ \ .-ry large, being greatly elevated and extending from the back 

 >f the head almost to the tail. The dark spot is placed between the sixth and eighth rays. 



* 



SEA WOLF. 



The color of the Eyed Blenny is pale brown, patched here and there with a darker tint. The 

 dark spot on the fin is mostly edged with white or very pale yellow. The length of this fish is 

 seldom more than three inches. 



Among other species of Blenny the SIIAXXY, or SHAV ( Blenniu* pKolit) is tolerably com- 

 mon in European 



PARSING by the remaining Blennies, all of which are very similar in habits and general 

 appearance, we must pause for a short space to examine a very curious species belonging to 

 the same family, called the Ji MI-KI: i I-M Kilni ia tridactylut). 



This odd little fish offers no remarkable beauties of color or form, being of a simple dark 

 brown, and without any salient points of external structure; but it is possessed of a wonderful 

 power of suddenly leaping out of the water, darting over the wet stones and rocks and snap- 

 ping up fli<-s and other insects with the nimble agility of the lizard. It can scramble up a 

 nearly perpendicular face of rock, and is so wary and agile, that on the least attempt to seize 

 it. the little creature darts towards the sea and is nearly certain to make its escape. While 



engaged in this pursuit, the Jumper-fish adheres so tightly to the rock, that : t is not detached 

 voi. m. m. 



