OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 57 



appellation bearing reference to its ferocious disposition, and 

 the second to the somewhat cat-like form of its large, rounded 

 head. In the adult state the Wolf-fish attains to a length 

 of as much as five or six feet or more. The most striking 

 structural feature concerning this species is the complex 

 armature of its mouth, a series of long, conical, canine-like 

 teeth, being developed anteriorly, shorter, pointed, tubercular 

 teeth at the sides, and a median band of massive, flattened 

 crushing teeth, functioning as molars, occupying the centre 

 of the palate. As might be anticipated from its formidable 

 dental formula, just described, the food of this species 

 consists essentially of hard-shelled organisms such as 

 Molluscs, Crustacea, and Echinoderms, crushed remains of 

 each of which zoological groups will be abundantly found 

 among the stomach contents of freshly caught specimens. 

 For the capture of such prey, and more especially for the 

 detachment from submarine rocks of strongly adherent 

 Molluscs and Echini, and for the subsequent trituration of 

 their hard shells the prehensile canines and massive palatal 

 teeth are respectively eminently adapted. 



In common with other members of the Blenny family 

 the Wolf-fish is unusually pugnacious, turning savagely 

 upon its assailants, and capable with the aid of its 

 trenchant teeth of inflicting exceedingly severe wounds. 

 For this reason it is customary with fishermen, on cap- 

 turing this fish, to knock out its front teeth, and to 

 dispatch it as soon as possible. An instance is recorded 

 of an example caught by some North Sea trawlers, 

 which seized a mop handle that was held out to it 

 so savagely and pertinaciously that it allowed itself to be 

 swung overboard before it would release its hold, and one 

 of its teeth being even then left embedded in the wood. 

 Living examples of this very formidable and somewhat 



