I'RIDE. 461 



leads to the internal tube between and connected with each 

 lateral set of branchial cells, as in the Lampreys ; the eye is 

 very small, so much so as to have been occasionally over- 

 looked, and it is situated at the bottom of a small and deep 

 depression : the branchial apertures are seven on each side, 

 airanged along a kind of lateral groove : the body of the fish 

 at this part is rather tumid ; behind this the form of the body 

 is nearly round, the portion "beyond the anal opening com- 

 pressed : there are two dorsal fins, the first short and low, 

 the second longer and higher, with a distinct diminution 

 between it and the first dorsal fin, and also with the dilated 

 membrane forming the caudal fin, which is somewhat round- 

 ed, the fleshy portion of the tail being pointed ; a narrow 

 slip of membrane fonns an anal fin. 



Some variations occur in specimens of this fish from differ- 

 ent localities, and there is even reason to suppose that two 

 species may exist. The most frequent colour is yellowish 

 brown, approaching to blackish brown on the top of the head 

 and upper part of the back, much lighter underneath and on 

 the fins. 



The vignette was copied from a sketch of a fishing party 

 made by T. Stothard, R.A. about the year 1780. 



