ACANTHOPTERYGII. Ill 



of the northern coasts of Europe, produce 

 their young alive, which are active and able to pro- 

 vide their own sustenance as soon as born. The 

 Butterfly fish (B. Ocellaris) is remarkable for a dark 

 eye-spot, on the large dorsal fins. 



A strong and ferocious fish, the Sea-wolf, or the 

 Sea-cat (Anarrhichas* Lupus) is closely related to 

 the Blennies, but has no ventrals. Its mouth is well 

 armed with strong pointed teeth, and its rounded 

 head has a broad cat-like face, of very savage and 

 sinister aspect, not at all belied by its rapacious 

 propensities. It is common in the northern seas, 

 and is often caught on the coast of Scotland, where it 

 is found six or seven feet in length. 



Callionymus,^ the Dragonets. 



In form, the Dragonets remind us of some of the 

 Mail-cheeks, particularly the genus Coitus, the 

 Scullpins, by which name, indeed, the present genus 

 is sometimes called by the fishermen. The aperture 

 of the gills is very small, on each side of the back 

 of the head ; the ventrals which are large, and not 

 united, are placed under the throat ; the mouth 

 capable of protrusion ; teeth small, on the jaws only; 

 eyes on the top of the head ; the fins are generally of 

 large size. The Gemmeous Dragonet (C. Lyra) is a 

 beautiful fish, having the body coloured with golden 



t 'Av, ana, upward, and a^'/^aj, arrhichas, holding on by the hands 

 and feet ; a name invented by Gesner, because this fish is said to climb 

 by the aid of its fins and tail. 



* KaXo;, kalos, beautiful, and oVa^a, onoma, a name. 



