SEA LAMPREY. S\)6 



pointed in front; but Avhon the mouth is open the appearance 

 is as if the head had been cut off; aperture on the top of the 

 head a little in front of the line of the eyes, and with a raised 

 rim; the eye moderate, lively, proportionally larger in the 

 smaller examples. In a line with the eye are seven branchial 

 openings, lowering gradually in the order in which they are 

 arranged. The first dorsal fin behind the middle of the body, 

 shorter than the second, from which it is widely separated; the 

 second running to the root of the tail, but not joined to it. 

 In this example the tail is square, but in others pointed. The 

 vent opposite the beginning of the second dorsal fin. The 

 colour is varied, mottled with blue and green, but when taken 

 in the sea, much more dull, and often of a uniform bluish tint; 

 whitish below; the eye pink, red, or silvery. 



The arrangement and structure of the teeth are characteristic 

 of the species of this family, and therefore requires a distinct 

 description; as do a few other particulars of the structure of this 

 fish, and especially of the organization of its head. When the 

 mouth is expanded it forms a wide oval, of which the border 

 is fleshy and apparently sensitive. In front of the gullet is a 

 curved row of stout teeth, each of which has a stout firm base, 

 with a sharp point; and a little behind them, on the floor, first 

 a pair of elevated rasp-like teeth, having on their upper edge 

 a row of very sharp points. Close behind these a pair of 

 elliptic shape, with their narroAV convex bend foremost; and 

 along their edge a row of sharp points. On the upper portion 

 of the mouth or palate, on the fauces two teeth, close together, 

 each with a broad and firm base and short, sharp point. In a 

 line above them upward three similar teeth, each smaller than 

 the next below it; and four rows of similar teeth pass from 

 these in regular succession, in an arched manner, to the border 

 of the mouth; each row containing five or six, except the 

 highest, where there are only one or two of small size. In 

 front of the lower portion of the mouth are three or four 

 regular rows of teeth in a circular course; and thus the whole 

 surface of the mouth and throat is covered with regularly 

 arranged strong teeth, which are not solid, but mere shells 

 that are shed by being thrust ofl" and renewed by others 

 that rise within themselves. The throat teeth are moved by 

 muscles appropriated to themselves, and the seven of the row 



VOL. IV. 3 E 



