SMOOTH BLENNY, ETC. 63 



patience, but causes a great loss of time that might 

 otherwise be usefully employed. For marine studies, 

 it must be remembered, cannot be satisfactorily pro- 

 secuted, even if the student had ample leisure, without 

 a due regard to the state of the sea. It is proper 

 therefore, as regards the Goby, to give those simple 

 directions that will generally lead to its capture 

 without great loss of time. 



Suppose, after arriving at the shore, you have fixed 

 upon a pool likely to contain a specimen, and suppose 

 further you actually see one and of course introduce 

 your net your exultation is suddenly damped by 

 noticing him disappear in the sand, below a stone. 

 You immediately overturn the stone, and as soon 

 as the disturbed water has settled, peer cautiously 

 around. But the Goby has vanished ; at least you 

 can see no evidence of any motion in the water. You 

 again survey the pool round, and round, again explore 

 the sand ; but all to no purpose. You are not a little 

 amazed in conjecturing where the little wretch can 

 have gone to. Why, he has been before you all the 

 time ! Do you see that mass of amber-coloured jelly 

 sticking to the stone you dislodged? That is the 

 Goby ; and, incredulous as you seem, you have only 

 to introduce him to your bottle, where he will soon 

 throw away all disguise, and swim happily enough 

 in its narrow limits. 



Being the owner of such a prize, you will scarce 

 resist, as you walk along, holding up your bottle 

 frequently in the light in order to have a peep at him. 



