44 NATURAL HISTORY. 



The Sole (pleuronectes solea) has the shape, and is 

 about the size of a common shoe sole. The color is an 

 olive-brown ; is rather abundant throughout Europe, and 

 found mostly at the mouths of rivers. 



The other genera belonging to this order are 



The Lump Fish or Sea Owl (cyclopterus lumpus) is 

 remarkable that the ventral and pectoral fins are united 

 in the form of an oval and concave disc ; this is composed 

 of movable plates, by the assistance of which the animal 

 can attach itself with vast force to anything that it pleases 

 to adhere to. It is about a foot and a half in length ; 

 broad, dark gray above, yellowish below ; lives on mol- 

 lusca, and is, itself, the prey of rapacious fishes. The 

 flesh of the sole is very palatable, therefore it is preferred 

 as being chief of the family of Discoboli. 



The Sucking Fish (echeneis remora) is wedge-shaped, 

 has a viscid skin without scales, and remarkable for a 

 kind of disk, which covers the head. This is composed, 

 of a number of movable cartilaginous plates, by the 

 assistance of which it can attach itself to different bodies. 

 It was once believed that this fish, by its peculiar power 

 of suction, was able to arrest the fastest sailing vessel in 

 its course. Its flesh is not eaten. 



FOURTH ORDER. 



MALACOPTERYGII APODA, OR SOFT-FINNED 

 WITHOUT ABDOMINALES. 



All the fishes of this order have an elongated, serpent- 

 like form ; are slightly scaly, with skins which are thick, 

 soft, and viscid. 



