219 
BLENNIUS. 
The body compressed, smooth, and slippery, without scales. Jaws 
equal, teeth in a single row. Dorsal and anal fins single, lengthened, 
with flexible rays. Ventral fins at the throat, each having (only) two 
rays. 
This family of fishes was called Alauda by the older naturalists, because 
of a kind of crest which some species of them possess on the head, in 
which they were supposed to resemble the lark. The name of Blennun 
was applied by the same writers to several sorts of fish, because of the 
soft and greasy appearance of their skin ; and in the History of Fishes 
by Jonston, the figure which may be supposed to represent the Dusky 
Skulpin is marked with that name. It was from Artcdi that the 
present genus received its name, with a slight change from the older 
designation; and thus it became adopted by his friend Linnteus, There 
is reason to suppose that some fish of the same family, and probably a 
species of Perioptlf' 'im, which has not been found in Britain, is the 
Exocoetus of Aristotle; and that it was so named because it was believed 
to quit the water for the sake of repose; as we shall find that some 
of the genus now under consideration are known to do. 
GATTORUGINE. 
Gatiorugine, 
Blennius Gattorugme, 
Blennie “ 
Blennius fusciatus, 
“ Gatiorugine, 
(i <« 
<1 
<* « 
WiLLorronBY; p. 132, pi. H. 2. 
LinnjEHS. Cuvier. 
Lacepede. 
Eisso; p. 127. 
Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 206. 
Jenyss; Manual, p. 379. 
Yaurell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 256. 
Gunther; Catalogue Brilish Museum, 
vol. iii, p. 212. 
This fish is known to fishermen of the west of England by 
the homely appellation of Tompot; hut the Italian name, as 
above, will prevail with the more scientific portion of the public, 
although the signification of the latter is scarcely more lofty 
than that of the former. It seems to be heavy in all its motions, 
