10 



Animal Life by the Sea-shore. 



and a blackish ocellar spot on the anterior part of the dorsal fin. 

 The length of our Blennies is from four to six inches. The den- 

 tition is often remarkable for the presence of a large curved canine 

 tooth on each side, denoting predaceous habits ; the Shanny, 

 in which these canines are strongly developed, is said to be an 

 expert at detaching molluscs, such as mussels and hmpets, from 

 the rocks. Blennies are very active creatures, and when 

 stranded have no difficulty in making their way back to the 

 water, leaping and wriggling on sand or gravel. They can live 

 for hours out of water among damp seaweed. The Shanny 

 may be kept for a long time in a small aquarium pro\'ided with 

 an island of stone or rockwork, on which it \m\\ sometimes rest, 

 completely out of the water. The amber-coloured eggs are 



~^ 



FIG. 7. HEADS OF BLENNIES. 



(Blennius galerila and galioniginc). 



deposited in a single layer under stones, sometimes in whelk- 

 shells, and are \-igilantly guarded by the male, who carries 

 away in his mouth anything that might interfere with the circula- 

 tion of the water around them, and, by movements of his 

 pectoral and caudal fins, produces currents for their better 

 aeration. 



The Viviparous Blenny (Zoarces vivipams), of elongate 

 shape and with a series of dark spots along the base of the dorsal 

 fin, is a more Northern fish, rarely met \\ith in the Western part 

 of the Channel, and occurring only on sandy coasts. As its 

 name imphes, it is remarkable in producing its young ahve, 

 about two hundred in number, at a comparatively advanced 

 state of de-\'elopment, measuring one and a-half to two inches. 



