THE LITTLE DOG-FISH. 



203 



This fish is plentiful on our coasts, especially in the southern extremity of England, 

 and is often thought a great nuisance by fishermen, whose bait it takes instead -of the 

 more valuable fish for which the hook was set. It generally remains near the bottom 

 of the water, and is a voracious creature, feeding upon crustaceans and small fish. It 

 often follows the shoals of migrating fish, and on account of that custom is called the 

 Dog-fish. Generally its flesh is neglected, but when properly dressed, it is by no 

 means unpalatable, and is said to be sometimes trimmed and dressed in fraudulent 

 imitation of more valuable fish. 



The skin of this and other similar species is rough and file-like, and is employed for 

 many purposes. The handles of swords, where a firm hold is required, are sometimes 

 bound with this substance ; and joiners use it in polishing the surface of fine woods so 

 as to bring out the grain. It is also employed instead of sand-paper upon match boxes. 



> * .."asi 



LITTLE DOQ.FISH.-Scy///uoi caatculum. 



ROCK DOQ-FISH. Stflllum catulus. 



The egg of this species is very curious in form and structure, and is often found on 

 the sea-shore, flung up by the waves, especially after a storm. These objects are 

 familiar to all observant wanderers by the sea-shore, under the name of mermaid's 

 purses, sailor's purses, or sea purses. Their form is oblong with curved sides, and at 

 each angle there is a long tendril-like appendage, having a strong curl, and in form not 

 unlike the tendrils of the vine. The use of these appendages is to enable the egg to 

 cling to the growing seaweed at the bottom of the ocean, and is to prevent it from be- 

 ing washed away by the tide. After a storm, however, when the agitated waves have 

 torn up the beds of marine wrack and other seaweeds that usually lie in still calm- 

 ness beneath their sheltering waters, and especially during the time of low tide, these 

 objects may be found lying upon the uncovered and dripping shore, their strong 



