228 
SHAN NY. 
characteristic habits could not be indulged, or the skin would 
become scorched and dry, and death would inevitably be the 
result. 
It is obvious from these well-known habits, as well as from 
experiment, that - this fish is highly retentive of life; and 
accordingly it has remained alive for several days when only 
covered over with moist sea-weeds. Lacepede records an 
instance where, as he supposed, a Shanny had made an attempt 
to feed on an oyster that lay with its valves open, in consequence 
of which it became shut up a prisoner by the closing of the 
shell. In this condition of confinement the fish had continued 
so long that the oyster had been dredged and carried to a 
considerable distance, when on opening it the captive was 
again set free, alive and without injury. It is necessary, 
however, that, in aid of this life-sustaining power, the moisture 
with which it is enveloped should be of sea water, for that 
which is fresh is fatal to it. 
As the flowing tide comes to its habitation in the rock the 
Shanny is seen to glide from it in search of food, which is 
whatever it can obtain of an animal substance; and of which, 
with its well-arranged cutting teeth, it bites off portions, with 
an apparent struggle before it devours it. It feeds also on 
small shell-fish, and the sessile barnacles of the rocks. But in 
the eagerness of search it is exceedingly jealous of the inter- 
ference or near approach of one of its own kind, which it 
immediately endeavours to drive beyond its own range of dominion, 
with the chance of a battle on the intruder. It is therefore not 
common to find two in or near the same hole; and when one 
was placed in a tank in which another had lived long alone, 
a speedy battle was the result. In consequence of this pro- 
pensity of combat it is an amusement of children to set them 
fighting; when they will lay hold of each other with the teeth 
and long retain the grasp, as they will also do on the head, 
although not capable of inflicting a wound. It may be partly 
from the dread of combats with each other that these fishes 
wander but little from their accustomed haunts; but it may 
also proceed from a want of power, for the heaviness of the 
body and head, and the absence of an air-bladder, are hindrances 
to raising themselves high in the water or passing over a con- 
siderable depth. 
