SHANNY. 215 



and contracting circularly, with a regular systole and 

 diastole, a little more quickly than the periodic opening 

 and shutting of the gill-covers, but nearly corresponding 

 therewith. The contraction of this pupil is perfect, so 

 as completely to conceal it, and the expansion is irregular 

 in extent, though regular in time ; sometimes it is but 

 just perceptible, when the next opening will be as wide 

 as usual. Occasionally, the motion ceases, the area 

 displaying no trace of a pupil 



Mr. Eoss of Topsham, an excellent marine zoologist, 

 has observed a highly curious habit in the commonest 

 of the Blennies. It is the Smooth Shan, Shanny, or 

 Tansy, 1 of our southern shore-bays. I was aware that 

 these little fishes were capable of enduring with im- 

 punity a protracted exposure to the air, which would 

 be fatal to many, but I did not suppose that the habit 

 was normal and constant. The facts reported are of 

 great interest. 



" A specimen of the fish," says Mr. Eoss, " was brought 

 to me on the 3d of June. On placing it in a glass 

 vessel of sea-water, it appeared perfectly quiet for some 

 hours, but at length became restless, and made frequent 

 attempts to throw itself out of the water. It then 

 occurred to me, that on a former occasion, when by the 

 sea-side, I had a Gattoruginous Blenny, in a vessel 



1 Blennius pholis. 



