BLENNIUS. FISHES. 439 



FAMILY U.-^- 



This family is distinguished by their slender and flexible dorsal spines. All 

 have the viscera of nearly the same form ; a large equal intestinal canal without 

 ccecums ; and no swimming-bladder. 



Gen. 10. BLENNIUS, Lin. 



Head obtuse ; snout short ; teeth long, equal, crowded, and in 

 one row in each jaw ; body elongated, compressed, with one 

 dorsal fin of simple and flexible rays ; ventral fins placed be- 

 fore the pectorals, and composed of two rays ; head with fim- 

 briated appendages. 



The Blennies possess a marked character in their ventral fins being placed before 

 the pectorals, and composed of only two rays. Their body is elongated, compressed, 

 with but one dorsal fin of simple and flexible rays. They associate together among 

 the rocks near the shores. The skin is covered with a mucous secretion, from 

 which circumstance they derive their generic name. Many are viviparous ; and 

 all have near the anus a tubercle conceived to be concerned in the act of generation. 



B. ocellaris, Bloch. Ocellated Blenny. Body bluish green, deep- 

 er on the back, and marked with a few large distant clouds or 

 bands ; first ray of the dorsal fin longest ; a round blackish spot 

 surrounded by white on the dorsal fin. 6 or 8 inches long. In- 

 habits European seas. B Shaw, iv. pi. 24. 



B. gattorugine, Lin. Body rufous; first ray of the dorsal fin short; 

 crest fimbriated on both sides. 7 inches long. Inhabits Euro- 

 pean seas. B. Mont. Wern. Mem. ii. 447- 



B. galerita, Lin. Crested Blenny. Body long, compressed, smooth, 

 and slimy, yellowish brown, with darker coloured spots ; coronal 

 appendages oblique, with an intervening conical wart. 5 inches 

 long. Inhabits European seas, B. Pen. Brit. Zool. iii. pi. 39. 

 This species is found, though not frequently, on our rocky shores. Its crest is 



capable of erection and depression. 



B. Montagui, Fleming. Body above olive green, with blue spots ; 

 belly white; crest transverse, fleshy, fimbriated; lateral line 

 curved near the head ; first rays of the dorsal fin on the neck, de- 

 tached. 12 inches long. British seas British Animals, 207- 

 Montagu considered this species as a variety of the crested Blenny ; but Dr Flem- 



ing regards it as a separate species. 



Gen. 11. PHOLIS, Artedi. Blennius, Lin. 

 Body elongated ; head obtuse, and destitute of crest or appen- 

 dages ; lips thick ; nostrils round and terminating in cylin- 

 ders; dorsal fin long, waved, and appearing as if divided 

 into two parts ; ventral fin with two rays. 



P. Icems, (B. Pholis, Bloch.) The Smooth Blenny. Body oliva- 

 ceous, marbled with black and white ; lateral line bent behind 

 the pectoral fins. 6 to 8 inches long. Inhabits European seas. 

 B. Pen. Brit. Zool. iii. pi. 40. 



This species is found lurking among stones and sea-weeds ; is able, with the as- 

 sistance of its ventral fins, to creep up the slopes of stones ; and, according to Ray, 

 is so tenacious of life that it will live for twenty-four hours out of the water. 



