60 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



his tail across their cheeks. Patient and long-suffering 

 as they were, such insults proved more than they could 

 bear. Very eagerly did they strive to be revenged on 

 their finny tormentor, but always without effect. 



When my Pholas (of whom more anon) was quietly 

 erecting his tubular bridge an operation in which I 

 took great delight the Blenny did all in his power 

 to interrupt the progress of the works. 



I became at length convinced that such continued 

 misconduct deserved punishment; so, catching the 

 offender on a certain occasion with my nippers, just 

 as the Giant-killer caught Little Jack, I held him in 

 unpleasant proximity to my Crassicornis. The pec- 

 cant Blenny immediately exhibited an extreme degree 

 of alarm, which I, disposed to leniency, accepted as 

 symptoms of sincere penitence, and immediately set 

 him at liberty. 



I grieve, however, to have to add, that after no long 

 interval he again relapsed into his evil courses. 



Thinking that perhaps a more liberal feeding would 

 tend to make him less riotous, I placed him upon an 

 unlimited diet, but with no beneficial result. 



His hostility appeared to be especially directed 

 against the youngest of the Blenny family, whom I 

 took under my especial care, and christened Little 

 Jock. It may sound somewhat doubtful, but I posi- 

 tively assert, that this little Blenny learned in a very 

 short time to answer to his name. Upon calling to him, 

 he would instantly make his appearance, and struggle 

 to get his body on the ledge of the tank. When I 



