416 I,AN"CELET. 



already in connection with Bloch, and the species of Gymnetrus 

 named from him. But the little animal now named the 

 Lancelet remained in doubt until it was, in the more proper 

 sense, discovered in the harbour of Polperro, under circum- 

 stances which form a characteristic portion of its natural habits. 

 In December, 1831, there had been a severe storm, when I 

 proceeded to examine the beach for the purpose of observing 

 what had been its effect in throwing on shore the produce of 

 the ocean. At nearly low water the tide had ebbed about 

 fifty feet from the place where lay a flat stone on a small 

 accumulation of sand, and on removing the sand I perceived 

 the tail of a little fish, the body of which was concealed 

 beneath. When removed from its hiding-place, and placed in 

 a pool of water, it appeared new to me, although its active 

 motions prevented for a time the distinguishing its head from 

 the tail; but when these energetic actions ceased it fell to the 

 bottom and remained without motion. While yet alive, the 

 figure Avas drawn which now forms its portrait; and this is 

 selected the rather as our other figure, from an example of 



larger size, is fiom a specimen also thrown on shore in a 

 storm, that was dead when it was found. The example first 

 referred to, after being long preserved in diluted spirit, was 

 the type of the figure by Mr, Yarrell, and the second is in 

 the collection of the British Museum. 



No other evidence than the places in which these examples 

 were found, with a close inspection of their characteristics, was 

 necessary to shew that their residence had been at, and 

 concealed within the bottom of the sea, and, in these instances, 

 not far from the places at which they were found; and this 

 has been proved since in a large number of instances; for the 

 Lancelet has now been obtained in the Mediterranean, and 

 round the British coasts up to the far north, even at a con- 

 siderable depth of water; but Avherever procured it has always 

 been as buried in the sand of the bottom, from which it has 

 been taken by the process of dredging. It may be doubted 

 whether it ever rises entirely and willingly above its hiding- 



