260 SEA-WOLF. LAUNCE. 



purposes of action and sensation. Its shock is attended 

 with all the phenomena and effects of the electric fluid of 

 our atmosphere when collected ; as far, at least, as has 

 been discovered from the experiments hitherto made. 



THE SEA-WOLF. 



This fish seems to be chiefly confined to the northern 

 parts of the globe. It is found in the seas of Greenland, 

 Iceland, and Norway, as well as on the coasts of Scot- 

 land, Yorkshire, Germany, and Holland ; but has seldom 

 or never been caught farther southward. 



The sea-wolf grows to a very large size, measuring from 

 four to seven feet. The head is small, the body long, and 

 a little compressed sideways ; and the skin smooth and 

 slippery. It is a very ravenous and fierce fish, and when 

 taken will fasten on any thing within its reach. The fisher- 

 men, dreading its bite, endeavour, as speedily as pos- 

 sible, to strike out its fore-teeth, which are so strong, that 

 they are capable of leaving an impression on an anchor. 

 Indeed its teeth, which are sometimes found in a fossil 

 state, under the name of buffonites, or toad-stones, are 

 excellently adapted to its way of life. It feeds almost 

 entirely on crustaceous and testaceous animals, which it 

 grinds to pieces with astonishing facility. On account, 

 probably, of the disagreeable and horrid appearance of 

 this fish, its flesh is not much esteemed; but the fisher- 

 men, after cutting off the head, and skinning it, some- 

 times make a meal of it. 



THE LAUNCE, OR SAND-EEL. 



The launce resembles the common eel in shape ; being 

 long and round, and generally measuring nine or ten inches 

 in length. The back is blue, varying with green ; and the 

 sides are of a silvery white colour. A long narrow fin ex- 

 tends almost the whole length of the back; and there are 

 also a pair of fins at the gills, but none under the belly. 

 The body is destitute of scales. 



These fishes abound on the sandy shores of Great Bri- 



