THE WOLF FISH. 
171 
Jeet; but its usual size is from three to four, and about ten 
or fourteen inches in circumference about the thickest part 
of the body. The head is large and flat, and perforated 
with small holes. The jaws are without teeth. The back 
and sides are covered with many light- coloured spots. The 
pectoral fins are round and small," and only serve to raise 
the fish’s head out of the water to breathe, which he is 
obliged to do every four or five minutes. The skin of the 
body is formed into a number of wrinkles, or annular bands 
which give it a worm-like appearance. The electrical shock 
is conveyed either through the hand, or any metallic con- 
ductor which touches the fish ; and a stroke of one of the 
largest kind proves instant death to even the human species. 
Ibis extraordinary power is given to this fish, not only for 
defence, but subsistence. For whenever small fishes or 
worms are thrown into the water, they are first struck dead 
by the electric power of the animal, and afterwards swal- 
lowed by him. 
The Wolf Fish has the body roundish and slender; the 
head large and blunt; the fore-teeth, above and below, 
conical; the grinding teeth, and those in the palate, round ; 
the fin covering the gills has six rays. 
This animal seems to be confined to the northern seas, and 
sometimes is found near the coasts of Scotland. It grows 
to a very large size, being frequently taken of the length of 
seven feet, and even more. It is a most ravenous and fierce 
hsh, and when taken fastens upon every thing within its 
'each. It is said even to bite so hard, that it will seize 
upon an anchor, and leave the marks of its teeth on it. It 
feeds almost entirely on shell-fish, the hardest of which it 
easily crushes with its jaws. It has so formidable and dis- 
agreeable an appearance, that it is only eaten by the fisher- 
men, who, however, prefer it to hollibut. 
The Launce, or Sand Eel, is known by abody slender 
Rn d roundish ; the head terminated by a beak; the teeth of 
il “air-like fineness ; the fin covering' the gills with seven 
f ays - I* g rows t0 the length of nine or ten inches, and is 
° Und in most of our sandy shores during the summer 
months. It conceals itself among the sand, whence, during 
ood-tide, they are rooted up, and devoured by the por- 
Pesses ; and on the recess of the tide they are drawn out with 
a °°k by the fishermen. They are commonly made use of 
s a bait for other fish, but they are also very delicate 
