PLATE LXXIX. 
his British Zoology. I'he time to which Mr. Pennant alludes, 
'n which the Smooth Blenny was so abundant on this coast, is now 
^hove thirty years ago ; and we may venture to affirm, on th« 
^surance of Mr. Davies, and from our own repeated observation, 
that it is no longer an inhabitant of that part of the coast of Anglesca. 
"^he importance of the article tang, in which this species, and a 
Variety of other littoral fishes, were known to secrete themselves, ^ 
'vas then unknown : its utility in making glass, and other useful 
*tts, has been since discovered ; and for the last ten or fifteen years, ^ 
*he tang has been so frequently gathered by the landholders, foi 
Aose purposes, that the broods of those fishes are now destroyed. 
The same reason may be assigned, most probably, for the rarity of the 
Smooth Blenny on the Cornish coast at this time. 
. In a recent tour round the maritime parts of the island of An- 
glcsea, we ascertained one satisfactory point, to tlie surprise 
*f Mr, Davies, namely, that the Smooth Blenny still inhabits the 
shore of a small rocky extremity on the north-west side of the 
•sland. We discovered it among the recesses of the shelving rocks, 
close to the low- water mark, in a situation nearly opposite to the 
Skerry Islands. In this spot we met w’ith several specimens of 
Various sizes, and had an opportunity of observing that, in their 
itatural state, it is almost impossible to find two fishes alike in their 
Colours and variegations. Some were dark brown speckled, and 
spotted with black, and whitish ; the irides of the eye a bright 
scarlet, and fins deep orange ; others olivaceous clouded with grey, 
3nd Some blackish variously mottled. The most elegant among 
*hem is that selected for our figure, the perv iding colour of which 
a fine green, very beautifully marked with irregular and some- 
C 4 
