340 THE BLENNY IN ITS NATIVE HAUNTS. 



brief space to a description of the peculiarities of 

 each. 



By far the most interesting of all the finny occu- 

 pants of the rock-pool, is, to my taste, the Smooth 

 Blenny, or, as it is variously termed, Shanny, or 

 Tansy. It is also more abundant than many other 

 species, and may therefore be readily captured dur- 

 ing summer. The Blenny varies from two to five 

 inches in length. The back is ornamented with 

 exquisite markings, but the most characteristic 

 features are the peculiar bluntness of the head, and 

 the brilliant crimson dot both on and immediately 

 beneath the eyes. 



Although easily tamed, the Blenny, in his native 

 haunts, appears to be the most timid of animals, 

 darting with the rapidity of lightning to the shelter 

 of some stone or overhanging weeds at the re- 

 motest indication of approaching footsteps, or the 

 faintest shadow of a human form being cast on the 

 water. 



When desirous to procure a specimen, it is best to 

 choose as small a pool as you can for your hunt. 

 Drop in your net at one end, and as the Shanny 

 precipitately retreats to the other, give him chase. 

 Having arrived at the extremity of his domain, he 

 will endeavour to hide among the weeds, but if you 

 hold your net across the pool with one hand, and 

 with the other lift up a stone or beat the bushes, 

 the little fellow will become greatly excited, and dart- 



