THE SEA WOLF. 



289 



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 ulti- 

 mately found to be mere casual varieties. 



WALKING-FISH. Aatenaarlus hlspldus. 



The color 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 formi- 

 dable 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 arrang- 

 ed 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 hauled out of the water, it still flounces about with such vigor, and bites at every 



