WALKING-FISH. Antennariuj 



exceedingly wide, some species ranging over the Atlantic and Indian Oceans ; and the 

 learned ichthyologist above mentioned is of opinion that many specimens which he has at 

 present been compelled to admit into the list of separate species, will be ultimately found 

 to be mere casual varieties. 



The colour of this species is yellow, diversified with many spots and streaks of brown, 

 some of the streaks radiating from the eye, and others extending over the dorsal fin. It 

 is a native of the Indian seas. 



THE important family of the Blennies comes next in order. They are all carnivorous 

 fishes, many being extremely voracious, and are spread over the shores of every sea on 

 the globe. They mostly reside on or near the bottom. 



The SEA WOLF, SEA CAT, or SWINE-FISH, is one of the fiercest and most formidable 

 of the finny tribes that are found on our coast, and has well earned the popular names 

 by which it is known. 



The Sea Wolf possesses a terrible armature of teeth, not only in the jaws, but arranged 

 in a double band on the palate, and by means of these powerful weapons can crush 

 with ease the hard-shelled molluscs and crustaceans on which it feeds. As may be seen 

 from the engraving, the aspect of the Sea Wolf is far from prepossessing, its fierce head 

 with the armed jaws, strong and cruel as those of the tiger or hysena, and the smooth, 

 slime-covered skin, giving it a most repulsive aspect. 



Still, it is eaten in many places, especially when it is small, not more than two feet in 

 length, and the flesh is said by competent judges to be decidedly excellent. In order to 

 avoid disgusting the purchaser with its ugly looks, the head is mostly removed, and the 

 skin stripped off before it is exposed for sale. The skin, though not handsome, has yet 

 its uses, for it is strong, flexible, and durable, and is made into bags and pockets that 

 require peculiar strength of fabric. 



The Sea Wolf is sometimes taken with the hook, but is mostly found entangled in the 



nets together with other fish, and in either case it struggles violently as soon as it 



perceives the loss of its liberty. It will tear the nets to pieces with its teeth, and when 



nauled out of the water, it still flounces about with such vigour, and bites at every object 



3. u 



