LAMPREY, COMMON WOLF FISH. 157 



species. The Sturgeon differs from the other fishes of the 

 order in being oviparous : it is very prolific. 



The Sturgeon which produces the isinglass is larger 

 than the common Sturgeon : its sound is used in this pre- 

 paration 



THE LAMPREY. 



This animal bears a strong resemblance to the eel, but 

 is of a lighter colour, and a clumsier shape. The mouth 

 likewise is round, and placed rather obliquely below the 

 end of the nose. It has an aperture at the top of the head, 

 through which it spouts water like the cetaceous fishes. 

 On each side are seven apertures for respiration ; and the 

 fins are rather formed by a prolongation of the skin, than 

 by any peculiar bones and spires. 



THE COMMON WOLF-FISH 



Frequents the Northern seas, and is sometimes seen on the 

 coasts of Britain, where it has been found four feet long ; 

 on the more northern coasts it attains the length of seven 

 feet. The head is flattened on the top, with a blunt nose 

 and small nostrils ; the eyes are near the end of the nose ; 

 the teeth and jaws are admirably adapted for the consump- 

 tion of the animals on which the fish feeds, such as 

 crabs, lobsters, prawns, muscles, scallops, &c. These, it 

 grinds to pieces, and swallows, together with the shells. 

 The body is long, and a little flattened at the sides ; the 

 skin, which is smooth and slippery, is of a dark brown 

 colour, crossed with still darker bands. The dorsal-fin 

 rises just behind the head, and reaches to the tail ; as 

 does likewise the anal- fin, which begins at a short distance 

 from the head, underneath : the tail is small and rounded. 

 The ferocity of this animal makes it a terrible enemy to 

 the smaller fishes; yet it falls a victim to one inferior to 

 itself in size and strength, the Lump Fish, which fastens 

 on its neck, and remains there till it torments the Wolf- 

 fish to death. This animal frequents the deep parts of the 



