AKACAOTHINI OR ANACANTHS. 



273 



lateral line. The whole family of Cods inhabit cold 

 waters, and are rarely found in the warm regions; and 



FIG. 336. 



American Cod, Morrhua americana, Storer. 



hence all the extensive cod-fisheries are confined to tem- 

 perate and cold regions. 



To the Anacanths belong the strange fishes known 

 under the name of Remora or Echeneididae. Upon the 



FIG. 337. 



Remora, Echeneis. 



head they have a flattened disk composed of transverse 

 cartilaginous laminse directed obliquely backwards, and 

 serrated or spiny on the hind edge, and movable, so that 

 by creating a vacuum between them, or by hooking on to 

 various bodies by means of the serrated edges, these 

 fishes can attach themselves very firmly. They are chiefly 

 tropical ; but some are taken on the coast as far north as 

 Labrador. They are often found attached to other marine 

 animals. They are from twelve to thirty inches long. 

 But more strange than any other fishes belonging to 



12* 



