231 
MONTAGU’S BLENNY. 
Blennius galerita, LiNUiExis. Jenyns; Manual, p. 881. 
“ “ Gunihee; Cat. Br. Animals, p, 222. 
“ Montagui, Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 206. 
“ " Takkell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 249. 
There is much confusion iii the synonyms of this species, 
but the opinion of Dr. Gunther is that the fish now represented 
and described is the true B. galerita of Linnteus and of 
Montagu, and that the difference of description by Fleming 
and others applies only to some casual variation of structure. 
Yet we are desirous of retaining the common English name of 
this fish, in memory of the indefatigable Montagu who first 
discovered it in Britain, and also because the designation of 
Crested Blenny has been appropriated to another species. 
Montagu’s Blenny is found further to the south than the 
Shanny, being known in the Island of Madeira, as also in the 
Mediterranean, and even in the Black Sea; but it is less 
common lUan that species even in its appropriate limits, and 
it is rare in the north of Britain. Nor does it often, like the 
Shanny, seek shelter in a hole so as to continue out of the 
water, and its more frequent haunts are in pools of the rocks, 
where a crevice affords it a convenient hiding place. It takes 
a bait, but less eagerly than the Shanny. 
This species probably is the fish, or one of them, that is 
mentioned by Belon as being employed as a bait for shore 
lines in catching the larger fishes; but with us the species of 
this family are not employed for any useful purpose. 
Montagu’s Blenny is best described by comparison with the 
Common Shanny, to which it bears considerable likeness, 
although it never reaches beyond half or two thirds the size. 
The form is also somewhat more slender, and the head less 
heavy; but the more remarkable difference, and that which 
