234 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



of the caudal. Pectoral fin large and rounded ; the middle rays the 

 longest, extending as far as in a line under the eleventh ray of the 

 dorsal ; ventral fins small and stout, placed before the base of the 

 pectorals, the longest ray as long as the third ray of the pectorals. 

 Caudal fin rounded at the end, the middle rays branched. Teeth, 

 twenty-one in the lower jaw, and twenty-four on the upper ; ante- 

 rior ones longest, the last stoutest and slightly curved inwards ; on 

 the vomer four, two on each side, short, stout, and very strong. 

 Lateral line commencing over the operculum running straight for a 

 short course, taking a curve over the pectorals, as far as under the 

 ninth ray of the dorsal, from thence passing straight to the base of 

 the middle caudal ray. Number of fin rays — 

 D. 30 ; P. 13 ; V. 2 or 3 ; A. 19 ; C. 12 ; B. 6. 



This species of Blenny is common on most of the rocky 

 parts of our coast, and nowhere more so than in the Firth 

 of Forth, where it is found in great numbers under rocks 

 and stones. In almost every pool left by the receding of 

 the tide they abound particularly in the neighbourhood of 

 North Berwick. Though so common, however, yet spe- 

 cimens are with difficulty procured, not only on account of 

 their activity, but also because the large stones under which 

 they conceal themselves are with difficulty removed ; and 

 unless that be accomplished, it will be almost impossible to 

 obtain a single specimen. In the month of August I ob- 

 served many of these fish in a small pool of water which 

 had been left by the tide, and after dipping the place dry, 

 to my astonishment, they had all disappeared, and taken 

 refuge under some sea-weed a foot and a half distant 

 from the pool. By means of their strong ventral fins they 

 are enabled to crawl several feet on dry land, and will re- 

 main six hours under stones or sea-weed, awaiting the re- 

 turn of the tide. The Blenny is remarkably tenacious of 

 life, and has been known to live out of water for many 

 days in a damp situation ; but, if put into fresh water, it 

 soon expires. 



These fish will take eagerly a baited hook, and are often 



