252 MINUTE MARVELS OF NATURE 



The barbs lie opposite to each other on each side 

 of the shaft, and fit so closely together as to form 

 a compact and flattened plane, except that each 

 barb has its edge arranged so as to cover the 



Fig. 171. The skin of the eel, showing 

 its scale 



base of the barb preceding it. At the tips of 

 the barbs issue fine and often long cilia or thread- 

 like lashes, which interlace with the neighbouring 

 barbs. Under high magnifying powers these 

 threads are seen to possess various contrivances, 

 such as tiny hooks, knots, &c., arranged so that 

 the edge, terminating with a row of hooks, meets 

 at angle with the plain bar-like edges of several 



