SHANNY. 
229 
The spa%yn of the Shanny is shed in summer, and the 
manner in which it is disposed of and protruded has been 
observed within my own knowledge, and by the research of 
Mr. Richard Q. Couch; the contrivance displaying no slight 
degree of instinctive intelligence. The place ’ selected is some 
small chamber among the ranges of its usual haunt as left by 
the tide, but nearer the low than high-water mark. The 
entrance to it is narrow, with a roof as little broken by crevices 
as may be; and the grains of spawn are laid close together on 
this roof and the sides of the diminutive cavern, where, as they 
are of a bright amber colour and a polished surface, each one 
above the tenth of an inch in size, they display a brilliant 
appearance, and the place looks as if it was vaulted with 
mosaic work. The parent herself has several times been dis- 
covered in this secret retreat, and on one occasion in the act 
of depositing her roe, the grains of which have been watched 
to their development. The young ones are of speedy growth. 
The Shanny seldom exceeds five or six inches in length, 
but it has been known to measure seven inches and a half, 
with the weight of two ounces and a half. The head large, 
fleshy^ with full cheeks; forehead high, sloping rather suddenly 
to the mouth; the lips membranous; jaws equal; teeth in an 
even row, with a single canine tooth in each lower jaw. 
Eyes of moderate size, high on the head, with a depression 
between them, and having no separate crest or filament above 
them; palmated filaments project from the depression of the 
nostrils below the eyes, visible when the fish is in the water, 
but scarcely to be seen at other times. The line of the back 
continuous with that of the head; body compressed, smooth, 
tapering towards the tail, which is round; lateral line scarcely 
perceptible. The dorsal fin single, beginning above the gill- 
opening, and rising at about half its length, and ending at a 
short distance from the tail, as does the anal fin, which begins 
at the vent. Pectoral fins round. All these fins have fleshy 
rays, which project beyond the membrane, and such is the 
case especially with the first half of the dorsal fin. The 
ventrals are firm finger-like processes, partially divided into 
two. In internal structure the pectoral and ventrals resemble 
those of the Gattorugine. The colour various, sometimes almost 
uniformly deep green, oi mottled with yellow and white. The 
