BLENNIID.E ; BLENNIES , SEA-WOLF. 



59 



the salt and fresh waters mix, will thrive well in the latter 



alone. 



621. We may next mention the BLENNIID^E, or Blennies, 



which are elongated Fishes, having a single dorsal fin, almost 



entirely sup- 

 ported 

 simple 



upon 

 flexible 



rays. The ven- 

 tral fins are 

 placed in front 

 of the pectorals, 

 and have only 

 two or three 

 r;iys in each. 

 They live in 

 small troops 



near the coast ; and they can exist for some time without water 

 (their gill-openings being small), especially if kept in moist grass. 

 Many of this family retain their eggs until they are hatched 

 within the oviduct ; so that the young are produced alive, fully 

 formed, and capable of finding their own subsistence. The 

 Anarrhicas, or Sea-Wolf, must be referred to this family, al- 



i lot. 380. BLENNV. 



FIG. 381. ANAIIRHICAS LUPUS. 



though differing from it in possessing no ventral fins, and in 

 having the jaws and palate armed with large tubercular teeth. 

 This fish may be almost regarded as replacing the Sharks in the 

 Arctic seas ; for it attains the length of six or seven feet, and is 

 extremely voracious and bold. Its body, though massive, is 

 adapted for active and energetic motion ; and its powerful bite 

 makes it a very formidable enemy. It often enters the fisher- 

 men's nets, for the purpose of plundering them of the entangled 



