404 



A^r^iIOC.ETES. 



The upper portion of the mouth forms a half circle, united to a 

 crossed portion or lip below; the mouth not capable of being closely- 

 shut. Dorsal fins close together, and the hindmost continuous with the 

 tail and anal fin. 



MUD LAMPREY. 



BLIND I,AMPREY. 



Lampdra caca, Willoughby ; p. 107, PI. G 2, f. 1. 



" " Eay; Synopsis Piscium, p. 30. 



Fetrornyzon IranclnaUs, Linn/EUS. 



" " Loudon ; Magazine of Natural History, 



vol. V, p. 23. 



Ammocwtes hrancldalis, Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 16-i. 



" Jenyks; Manual, p. 522. 



" TAimELL; Bi\ Fishes, vol. ii, p. 609, 



This little fish departs but in a small degree in likeness 

 from the general family of the Lampreys, but it differs from 

 most of them in its characteristic habits; and especially in its 

 little disposition to wander from its accustomed haunts, or its 

 place of shelter and concealment; Avhich is in the beds or 

 accumulations of sandy mud at the border and eddy of the 

 smaller brooks; and from which it seldom emerges; so that 

 however numerous, it would scarcely be known if not sought 

 for by fishermen to serve as a bait in icMffing for Pollacks. 

 Buried in scattered companies in the soft soil, it may be said 

 to lead the life of the mole; and it is there it finds all it 

 wants of food; in search of which by taste or scent it moves 

 through its tracks as appetite or disposition prompts; and from 

 observation it may be judged that except in search of new 

 feeding ground, it never willingly exposes itself to the dangers 



