58 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



swimming, they immediately throw themselves upon 

 the rocky bank, expecting a gentle touch; or wriggle 

 their bodies upon the ledge situated near the upper 

 portion of the bank, and there solicit the same favour. 

 The prudence of choosing the latter locality is some- 

 what questionable; for, the little creatures being 

 generally half in and half out of the water, with 

 breast reclining on the smooth surface of the glass, 

 the slightest stroke of affection often causes them to 

 glide down upon the ever-expanded tentacles of a 

 Daisy-anemone, and, in releasing themselves from 

 such unpleasant neighbours, they run no small risk of 

 being seized by the illuminated tenter-hooks of the 

 Great Crassicornis. Such a misfortune actually befel 

 a new-comer on one occasion, and literally caused 

 him to turn pale with terror. It was, indeed, curious 

 to see that, after releasing himself from the Actinia, 

 instead of being nearly black as usual, he was trans- 

 parent as a Shrimp. 



Although I made sure the unlucky Blenny would 

 not long survive this fright, I determined to try the 

 effects of change of air. So, having placed him, 

 almost breathless, on the palm of my hand, I care- 

 fully smoothed his coat, and thereafter deposited him 

 in a tumbler of clean water. In a few hours I had the 

 satisfaction to find his natural hue "return, and in no 

 long time the little fellow swam about as lively, as ever. 



I was once master of a Blenny whose insuperable 

 shyness occasioned me a great deal of care. He was 

 so timid, or modest, that whenever I -approached him 



