Tin: MI \ 



I'HK lesser figure on page 2iM r-pn- -m- the I. v M ri i:v called IM -< <n\fi ooundM of England 

 the LVMIMMIS. with that curious faculty <>f tniii^jM.-iiiiiii w hidi induces the rustic In speak 

 of thuiMin:: instead nf tin-listing, ami t< call birds' nests, brids' neesuns. 



Tin- Imi|eni is plentiful in main rivers, ati<l if tin- generality of mddflOU near the wmtflT 

 were only awurr> <if its excellence for the table, would soon | M - thinned in numlierv Th 

 prejudice th.ii <-\ists against the eel ami flu- lamprey is absolutely mild when compared with 

 tin- horror with which the I^uii]-ni is contemplated. Not onl\ do {in- ignorant peopta refuse 

 to eat it. Imt they U'lieve it to U actually poisonous, and would sooner handle an angry 

 vi|>er than a poor harmless Lami>ern. 



The tlesh of the hini]M>rn is remarkably good, and IB indeed admired by man? who have 

 not the least idea of the ti.sh they are eating. 



\ l-. ;: . :ti!'u! IK lap tat ion < f llnMlm t" ofaOUBltUMM is -,.,-M in the r< > in i> F,\MCI:I:\. 

 an inhabitant of the fresh waters of Southern Australia. 



This remarkable fish j MJWMMS many points of interest, among which the enormous thniat- 

 jH.uch is the most n.iispictious. In the common sea-Lmiprey of Kiiro|x-. the throat is dilatable 

 U-I..U . but in the present species the skin is distended so greatly as to form a large pouch, such 

 as is represented in the eiiirraving. Taking intoroiisiderutioii the fntjuent dnuight.H that take 

 plac-e in the country where this creature lives, it is almost certain that the jiouch is intended 

 to hold a supply of water, which will enable respiration to be carried on during the days of 

 drought 



The mouth of this species is very large and filled with formidable teeth, the whole interior 

 of the disc In-itu studded with them, and the tongue armed with two long and sharp fangs 

 that .seem calculated to do good service to their out, 



A very remarkable species of lam]>ern, termed the SAND PRIDE, or Mrn LAMPRKT 

 (Ammocteffs branchiali*), is found in many rivers, and lias sometimes U-eii mistaken for the 

 yoiinu of the sea-lamprey. It is represented in the lowest figure of the picture on page 294. 



It may. however. In- di-tin-uishe.l by the form of the mouth, which is of a horse-shoe 

 shu]*-, ami incapable of adhesion like that of the fishes belonging to the preceding genus. 

 The Sand Pride, although tolerably common, is not very often seen, owing to its habit of 

 buryinir itself in t lie muddy or sandy beds of rivers. Itscoloris yellowish In-own, the latter 

 tint preiMiiidenitini: (.11 the bark and the former beneath. It is a very small species, seldom 

 exceeding six or seven inches in length. 



TICK MYXIM . oHJu n.soi - 11 \..-ri?.ii is so remarkably worm- like in its form and general 

 appearance that it was classed with the annelids by several authors, and was only placed in 

 its proper j>osition among the fishes after careful dissection. 



The M\xine is seldom taken when at large in the sea, but is captured while engaged 

 in devouring the bodies of other fish, to which it is a fearful enemy in spite of its innocuous 

 appearance. It has a custom of getting inside the cod and similar fishes, and entin-h 

 suming the interior, leaving only the skin and the skeleton remaining. The fishermen have 

 good reason to detest the Myxine, for it takes advantage of the helpless state in which the 

 cod-fish hangs on the hook, makes its way into the interior, and if the fish should happen 

 to be caught at the beginning of a tide, will leave but little flesh on the bones. The rod thus 

 hollowed an- technically called "robbed" fish. Six Myxines have been found within the 

 K-dyof a single haddock. 



The name of (Jluti nous Hag-fish is derived from the enormous amount of mucous secret inn 

 which the Myxine has the power of pouring, from a double row of aj-Ttures, set along the 

 whole of the under surface, from the head to the tail. It is said that the (ish is aocust<> 

 envelop itself in a cloud of glutinous matter whenever it is alarmed, and under cover of this 

 substance to escape the view of its enemies; thus presenting a curious j-aralM to the well- 

 known habit of the sepia and the a] sea-hare, which, wh -l-d. stain the water 



with their protective secretion and sh.M.t otT under sh-lter of the sudden dark ties*. 



Around the lips of the Myxine are eight delicate Iwrbules, which are evidently intet, 

 as organs of touch ; the mouth is furnished with a single hooked tooth upon the palate nerving 



