144 GENERA AND SPECIES. 



portion of the anal is very broad, and the spines large. The lateral 

 line curves to the middle of the anal, and then runs straight. The 

 body is about two-thirds as high as it is long, and is much 

 compressed. The mouth is large and protrusible so as to form a 

 tube. The colour is a somewhat yellowish grey, frequently with 

 wavy bands ; the length is under 24 inches. The Dory feeds on 

 fair-sized fishes, such as sprats and smelts. It swims with a list to 

 starboard, not upright ; and it grunts, squeaks, or groans when 

 taken out of the water. 



Zoarces. plate x. BLENNIID&. 



82. viviparus, VIVIPAROUS BLENNY. Dorsal long, with a low section 

 of 10 spines just before the end. 



The dorsal extends all along the back. In the fore part there 

 are from 76 to 80 rays, continuous with which are 10 spines 

 followed by 20 to 25 rays. The rays are level and not very high, 

 and the spiny section is half the height of the rest of the fin. In 

 the anal there are 84 to 89 rays ; the caudal is absent except in the 

 young ; the pectorals have 19 rays, and the ventrals 3. The mouth 

 extends to the middle of the eye ; the lips are thick. In colour this 

 fish is olive, striped and banded with dark green ; it attains 2 feet 

 in length, and is of slender tapering form. It lives among rocks, 

 and hides among seaweed ; and it has been observed to bring forth 

 at a birth 250 young, an inch and a half long, which immediately 

 began to swim about and look after themselves. 



Zygsena. Plate xxviii. CARCHARIID&. 



224. malleus, HAMMERHEAD. Head in the shape of a hammer, with 

 the eyes at the lateral extremities. 



This shark is recognisable at a glance, owing to its strangely- 

 shaped head. The colour is slaty grey above, and white below. 

 It is said to be very ferocious, but it has rather a small mouth. 

 The teeth are oblique and notched. It is not uncommon in the 

 Mediterranean, but better known in more southerly seas ; in 

 British waters it is rarely seen. The largest yet caught on the 

 English Coast measured 13 feet 7 inches. Its specific name means 

 a balance, and it is frequently called the Balance Shark. It is the 

 last on our alphabetical list, so that with a balance we close our 

 account. 



