184 
LUMPFISH. 
Greenland, this fish is an object of attention, and is sought for 
with nets and long lines, the flesh being used either fresh or 
salted and dried, and in the latter case it is even prepared for 
exportation. Crantz informs us, however, that even in^ Green- 
land it is not relished by every stomach. The roe is more 
esteemed, and, when salted, is made into a sort of caviar, and 
even exported as such. 
With us the Lumpfish is noticed rather for its grotesque 
shape than for any remarkable properties which are supposed 
to belong to it, and yet its history possesses no small degree 
of interest in the view of those who feel pleasure in tracing 
the wisdom whereby the structure of an animal is made to 
exert its influence on its habits, or the latter are confirmed to 
the former; as also in observing that combination of properties 
by which some apparent defect is converted into a benefit, or 
becomes balanced by organizations and instincts which afford to 
their possessor some unexpected compensation. 
Unwieldy heaviness of form must necessarily prove an obstacle 
to activity of motion, and thus it happens that the Lumpfish 
becomes liable to the assaults of many formidable enemies; and 
also, from the same cause, when the sea is lashed into fury it 
possesses little active power to keep itself from being dashed 
against the rocks. This last-named danger, however, is provided 
against by the possession of that peculiar organization on the 
under part of its body, from which the genus, and this species 
especially, derive their characteristic name. But to escape the 
depredations of its enemies is a greater difficulty than to obtain 
safety from the storm, although the rough tuberculated nature 
of its covering might seem to offer it sufficient security. The 
Seal is one of the most formidable of its enemies; and, with 
all the eagerness of appetite, this creature displays also a high 
amount of skill in ridding the fish of its skin before it pro- 
ceeds to swallow the delicious morsel. A particular account of 
the process by which the flaying is accomplished is given in 
the “Zoologist” for the year 1851, by Mr. Harris, of Gamrie, 
although not, in all its details, for the first time, as that 
gentleman supposed. He remarks that this covering is fre- 
quently floated in and deposited on the shore by the tide, 
and, as usually seen, with the head and tail attached to it; 
sometimes, however, the head is wanting. Judging from a 
