96 COMMON WOLF-FISH. 



the head : the dorsal fin commences almost im- 

 mediately behind the head, and is continued as far 

 as the tail, which is small and rounded : the vent- 

 fin commences at a little more than half the di- 

 stance of the whole animal from the head, and is 

 continued, like the dorsal, as far as the tail. 



Dr. Bloch observes that the skin of this animal is 

 in reality beset with small scales, though the fish 

 is by the generality of ichthyologists described as 

 scaleless ; an error arising from their small size, 

 and their deep situation on the skin : they are thin, 

 and placed at some distance from each other : the 

 body is also marked by a lateral line, though de- 

 scribed by Mr. Pennant as destitute of that part. 

 Of three specimens of this fish examined by Dr. 

 Bloch, one had six rows of grinders in the. upper 

 jaw, and as many in the lower; another had six 

 rows above, and four below ; while a third had five 

 above and three below. 



Notwithstanding the ferocity of this fish, which 

 is as dreadful to the small inhabitants of the water 

 as the wolf is to those on land, it is said to be some- 

 times attacked and destroyed by an enemy of far 

 inferior size and strength; viz. the Lump-Fish 

 (Cyclopterus Lumpus), which fastens itself on its 

 neck, and adheres immoveably; tormenting it in 

 such a manner as to cause its death. 



The Wolf-Fish commonly frequents the deep 

 parts of the sea, and in spring-time approaches 

 the coasts in order to deposit its spawn among the 

 marine plants, &c. the ova are about the size of 

 peas ; and the young, according to Mr. Pennant^ 



