SHANNV. J^iiO 



The spawn of tlie Shanny is slicd in summer, and the 

 manner in which it is disposed of and protruded has been 

 observed within my own knowledge, and bv the research of 

 'Sir. Kichard Q. Couch; the contrivance displaying- no sliglit 

 degree of instinctive intelligence. The place selected is some 

 small chamber among the ranges of its usual haunt as left by 

 the tide, but nearer the low than high-water mark. The 

 entrance to it is narrow, with a roof as little broken by crevices 

 as may be; and the grains of spawn arc laid close together on 

 this roof and the sides of the diminutive cavern, where, as they 

 are of a bright amber colour and a polished surface, each one 

 above the tenth of an inch in size, they display a brilliant 

 appearance, and the place looks as if it was vaulted with 

 mosaic Avork. The parent herself has several times been dis- 

 covered in this secret retreat, and on one occasion in the act 

 of depositing her roe, the grains of which have been watched 

 to their development. The young ones are of speedy growth. 



The Shanny seldom exceeds five or six inches in lengtli, 

 but it has been known to measure seven inches and a half, 

 with the weight of two ounces and a half. The head large, 

 fleshy, with full cheeks; forehead high, sloping rather suddenly 

 to the mouth; the lips membranous; jaws equal; teeth in an 

 even row, with a single canine tooth in each lower jaw. 

 Eyes of moderate size, high on the head, with a depression 

 between them, and having no separate crest or filament above 

 them; palmated filaments project from tlie depression of the 

 nostrils below the eyes, visible when the fish is in the water, 

 but scarcely to be seen at other times. The line of the back 

 continuous Avith that of the head; body compressed, smooth, 

 tapering towards the tail, which is round; lateral line scarcely 

 perceptible. The dorsal fin single, beginning above the gill- 

 opening, and rising at about half its length, and ending at a 

 short distance from the tail, as does the anal fin, which begins 

 at the vent. Pectoral fins round. All these fins have fleshy 

 rays, which project beyond the membrane, and such is the 

 case especially with the first half of the dorsal fin. The 

 ventrals are firm finger-like processes, partially divided into 

 two. In interna] structure the pectoral and ventrals resemble 

 those of the Gattorugine. The colour various, sometimes almost 

 uniforndv deep green, or mottled with yellow and white. The 



