MYXINK. 4()5 



Along the whole length of the under surface of the boily, 

 from head to tail, there are two rows of mucous pores, from 

 whicli a large quantity of a gelatinous secretion is expressed 

 occasionally at the will of the animal, and by which, either 

 in reference to its quality or quantity, or both, this fish is 

 said to escape its enemies. So copious and so thick in its 

 consistence is this jelly-like secretion, that some of the older 

 naturalists believed this fish had the power of converting 

 water into glue, and it obtained in consequence the name of 

 the Glutinous Hag. 



The body is elongated, eel-like in form, cylindrical 

 throughout the greater part of its length, tapering and com- 

 pressed towards the tail ; the whole length from twelve to 

 fifteen inches ; the skin perfectly smooth and unctuous ; 

 the head obtusely pointed, with a single spiracle connected 

 with the interior of the mouth and branchiae ; eyes wanting ; 

 eight tentacula, cirri, or feelers, as they are called, are placed 

 about the lips, four near the front, and two on each side ; 

 lips soft, extensible, inclining to a circle in their figure ; 

 one single hooked tooth on the palate ; the tongue fur- 

 nished with four rows of small pointed teeth, two rows on 

 each side : at the division between the thoracic and abdo- 

 minal cavities are two external apertures, each of whicli is 

 connected by a membranous tube with the six branchicc on 

 its own side ; hence BlocVs name of Gastrobranchus. Tlie 

 anal aperture is an elongated fissure situated about two 

 inches before the end of the tail ; along the whole under 

 surface of the body are ranged two rows of pores, which 

 afford egress to the secretion of the numerous glands within ; 

 the dorsal fin is low and rudimentary, except towards the 

 tail, where the membrane is dilated, and being continued 

 round the end of the tail, and thence upwards to the anal 

 aperture, forms in addition a caudal and an anal fin, which 



