152 FISHES. 



We dare not separate, although they have no spinal ray, from the Blen- 

 nies, the 



ZOARCUS, CuV., 



Which are provided with their anal tubercle; the intestines without 

 caeca, and smooth oblong body, six rays in the branchiae. There are 

 three rays in the ventral ; teeth conical, forming a single row on the sides 

 of the jaws, and several in front; none in the palate; the dorsal, anal, 

 and caudal, are united, not, however, until the dorsal is considerably de- 

 pressed. There is in our seas, and particularly in the Northern ones, a 

 species long known as viviparous ; it is the 



Z. viviparus ; Bl. viviparus, L. ; Bl. 72. A foot long; fawn- 

 coloured, wilh blackish spots along the dorsal. 

 America has a considerably larger one, 



Z. labrosus, Cuv. ; Bl. labrosus, Mitch. Trans. New York, I, 1, 

 7. It is three feet and more in length; it is of an olive colour, 

 sprinkled with brown spots. 



Anarriiichas*, Lin. 



The Wolf Fishes appear to me so very similar to the Blennies, that I 

 would willingly name them Blennies without ventrals. The dorsal fin, 

 entirely composed of simple, but not stiff rays, commences at the nape of 

 the neck, and extends, as well as the anal, close to that of the tail, which 

 is rounded, as well as the pectorals. Their whole body is smooth and 

 slimy. Their palatine bones, vomer and mandibles, are armed with stout, 

 bony tubercles, surmounted with small enamelled teeth, but the anterior 

 ones are longer and more conical. This mode of dentition furnishes them 

 with powerful weapons, which, added to their great size, render them fe- 

 rocious and dangerous. They have six branchial rays; the stomach is 

 short and fleshy; the pylorus being near its bottom, the intestine is short, 

 thick, and without caeca, and they have no natatory bladder. 



A. lupus, L., Bl. 74, (The Sea Wolf or Sea Cat), is the most 

 common species ; it inhabits northern seas, and is frequently seen 

 on the coast of Europe; six or seven feet long; brown, with cloud- 

 ed bands of deep brown ; the flesh resembling that of an eel. This 

 fish is a substantial resource to the Icelanders, who salt and dry the 

 flesh for food, employ the skin as shagreen, and the gall as soapj-. 

 The 



Gobius, Lin. 



Commonly called Gobies or Sea-Gudgeons, are instantly recognized by 

 the union of their thoracic ventrals, either along the whole of their length, 

 or at least at their base, forming a single hollow disk more or less infun- 

 dibuliform. The spines of the dorsal are flexible, the branchial apertures 

 provided with five rays only, and generally but slightly open. Like the 



* Anarrhicha.i, Climber, a name invented by Gesner (Paralipomen, p. 1261), be- 

 cause this fish is said to climb upon rocks and shoals by the aid of its fins and tail. 



f The petrified teeth of this fish have been considered as constituting Bafonites, 

 but they have neither their form nor tissue. 



Add, the Anarr. minor, Olafsen., Voy. en I si. Fr. Trans., pi. L. 



