GOBIOIDE^E. 95 



[44.] 1. Anarrhichas lupus. (Linn.) Common Wolf -fish. 



Family, Gobioideae, Cuvier. Genus, Anarrhichas, Linn. 

 Anarrhichas lupus. Fabk. Faun. Groenl., p. 138, No. 97. 

 Keegooteeleek. Greenlanders. 



Cuvier considers the genus Anarrhichas to lie so nearly allied to Blennius, that 

 the principal difference is in the absence of the ventrals. The dorsal extends from 

 the nape almost to the caudal, and is supported throughout by simple, but not stiff 

 rays. The anal also nearly reaches the caudal, which is rounded as well as the 

 pectorals. The whole body is smooth and slimy. The jaws, vomer, and palate- 

 bones are armed with large bony tubercles which support on their summits little 

 enamelled teeth, but the anterior teeth are conical and longer. There are six gill- 

 rays, and neither caeca nor air-bladder. The fish of this genus being generally of 

 a large size, and furnished with jaws so well armed, are dangerous. 



The Common Wolf-fish inhabits the North Sea, being common enough as low 

 as the French coast ; and it is not rare in the southern bays of Greenland. Fabri- 

 cius says that the largest one he saw was two feet long ; but in the European 

 seas, according to Gronovius, Cuvier, &c, it reaches the length of seven feet. One, 

 three feet long, weighs about twenty pounds. On the Greenland coast it asso- 

 ciates itself with the Common Lump-fish, migrating along with it ; that is, retiring 

 from the coast to the deep sea in autumn, and returning again in spring. Its 

 great size and formidable teeth do not protect it from the assaults of the Lump-fish, 

 for the latter, when alarmed for the safety of its offspring, pursues the Wolf-fish, and 

 fastening upon its neck persecutes it to death, at least, such is the account given by 

 Fabricius. It feeds upon crustacese and shell-fish, which it breaks in pieces with 

 its teeth. Its motion is serpentine, like that of an eel, and when it is seen reposing 

 in the cleft of a rock its body is undulated. It spawns in May, among the larger 

 sea-weeds, a short way from the shore. It has a hoary colour with a whitish 

 belly, dark head Avith white specks, and two rows of large blackish lateral spots ; 

 but there is considerable variety in the depth of the tints. 



Fins.— Br. 7 ; D. 73/ ; P. 20; V. 0; A. 45 ; C. 18. (Fauna Grcenl) 



