157 



AMMODYTES. 



The hofly ionc,tlioned. almost cylindrical, with lines or folrls alonjv 

 tlie lengtli of the hody. distinct from a lateral line. Jaws iwotriidcd 

 before the eyes, pointed, the lower longest, with a tleshy iJointe(i 

 termination. Dorsal and anal fins long, but not united to the tail. 

 No ventral tins, and consequently a portion of the apodal class of 

 Linnffns: no air bladder. 



This little family of fishes obtains its English name from the shape 

 of their body, which at the front ends in a point, and at the tail 

 is 50 spread out as to form a distant resemblance to the butt- end 

 of the warlike instrument signified by the denomination; while the 

 lengthened and almost cylindrical body answers to the shaft. Jn 

 some places these fishes are also called Sand Eels, which answers to 

 the Greek word by which the genus is discriminated. They stand 

 as an insulated group, both in regard to form and habits, amongst 

 the native fishes of Britain. 



LESSER LAUNCE. 



S.XNi) E?:l. Two species are comprised within the name of 

 Tubiunm by Willougliby, p. 113, and AmmodijUs tobianus 

 of Ijinna^us. 



Ammodyte.s tohianus, Ccvier. 



lancea, Jenyns; Manual, p. 483. 



Yakrell; British Fishes, vol. ii, p. 42.^^. 

 " " GuNTHEK; Cat. Br. Museum, vol. iv, p. 385. 



This little fish is an inhabitant ffcnerallv of the more sandy 

 shores of the British Islands, and it rarely goes far from them 

 into deep water. They swim in companies of a few scores 

 or hundreds, and in the quiet days of summer are seen at a 

 small depth in the water as they are pursuing their lively 

 course in bays or harbours where, however, their fiite is 

 usually an unfortunate one. Unable to protect themselves, 

 VOL 111. T 



