144 MYXINE, OR COD BORER, 



enclosing tliem in a seine, and then di-awing them on 

 shore. As soon, however, as they find themselves en- 

 closed, they seem confused, and wander from one part 

 of the net to another, seeking a means of escape. Order 

 is, as if by mutual consent, very soon established, and 

 the largest of the shoal generally takes the lead in every 

 subsequent proceeding. Thus guided, every portion of 

 the net is carefully examined, and if a hole be foimd, 

 through it they all make their escape. If unsuccessful 

 in this, they attempt to lift the foot of the net, but the 

 trial always fails, and many are meshed in the attempt. 

 They retire to the centre of the space enclosed by the 

 net, and, after a short time, the leader rises swiftly to 

 the corks, and, followed by all the others, throws itself 

 into the water beyond, and thus they effect their escape. 

 The fishermen have had recourse to a stratagem which 

 usually succeeds. They scatter straw along the inner 

 margin of the buoys, and the *fisli, deceived by this, 

 throw themselves over the edge of the straw, but fall 

 into the enclosure again ; and having once failed in their 

 jump they never renew the effort. 



MYXINE. 



[Gasteohranclms cacus.) 



Local names : Blind-fish, Borer, Glutinous Hog, Hog-fish, Poison 

 Ramper, Ramper Eel. German : Schleimfisch, Blindfisch, 

 Wurmfisch. 



The Myxine, Glutinous Hog, or Borer, so much resem- 

 bles a worm that it was placed by Linnaeus in the class 

 Vermes ; and it was not till after examination by dis- 

 section and accurate descriptions, that it was recognised 

 as related to the lampreys. 



The skeleton is very imperfect, and in place of a series 



