MISGUENU8 P'OSSILIS. 247 



nearly in the middle of the side. The cephalic mucus-canals are traced with 

 difficulty, as they have only a few pores. The small size of the fins gives 

 the fish an eel-like aspect. Von Siebold states that the only parts of the 

 body which are free from scales are small areas in the median line behind the 

 dorsal and anal fins. 



The scales on the back, throat, and abdomen are the smallest ; they 

 are larger and more numerous on the sides. Their form is vertically ovate, or 

 nearly circular. They but slightly overlap each other, and under the micro- 

 scope show numerous concentric lines of growth and radiating rays in eveiy 

 direction. The pharyngeal teeth are twelve to fourteen in number. The rake 

 teeth of the gill-arches are compressed, pointed, and short. There are thirty- 

 one vertebrae in the thoracic region, and nineteen in the tail. 



The intestine is short, without pyloric appendages, and appears to have a 

 respiratory function, absorbing oxygen from the air swallowed, and liberating 

 carbonic acid. 



The air-bladder is divided into right and left portions, which are similar 

 and adjoin the first three or four vertebrae, processes from which enclose them 

 in lateral bony capsules. The air is said to be sometimes expelled from the 

 air-bladder with a piping noise, though this is improbable. 



The head is marbled with brownish-black flecks, which often run together 

 in bands. 



The colour of the back is dark brown, with blackish flecks. The abdomen 

 is orange, dotted with black. A broad blackisli-brown band extends along 

 the lateral line, which is conspicuous with its thick compressed pores. Above 

 and below this is a broad yellow longitudinal stripe, and this is divided from 

 the orange abdomen by a blackish-brown band, Avhich extends as far as the 

 vent, and then becomes broken up on the tail into scattered points and flecks. 

 The yellow band over the lateral line extends forward to the orbit, and may 

 be traced in front of the eye. The ground colour of the dorsal and caudal fins 

 is a darker brown than that of the other fins ; all the fins are dotted with 

 black. The iris is golden. 



The length often exceeds a foot, but is commonly less. As a rule, the fish 

 lives in fiat regions, and prefers muddy brooks, marshes, and ditches, though 

 also found in large rivers and lakes. It is known on the Continent as the 

 Mud-fish, from its habit of burrowing and burying itself in the mud, particularly 

 in cold weather. Dr. Badham remarks, " The favourite pastime of M. fossilis 

 is to roll and wallow in the mire of his pond, whither he retreats for 

 warmth and cover when the air is chilly ; and so fondly is he attached to this 

 soft duvet that on leaving it, as he always does on the approach of bad 

 weather, it is only to grub up and disperse the ooze till the water has been 



