415 



AMPHIOXUS. 



TnE body compressed, without scales; mouth on the under part of 

 the head lengthwise, and its border on each side within with tendrils. 

 One tin along the back, joined to the anal to form the tail. No 

 other fin. 



The name Amphioxus was bestowed because the fish thus characterized 

 appears as if sharp at both ends. It has also been termed Branchi- 

 ostoma, from a supposed position of the gills at the mouth. 



LANCELET. 



Aiwphioxus lanceolatun, Yarrei.l; Br. Fishes, vol. ii. p. 618. 



Loudon's Mag. Nat. Hist., 1838, p. 38. 

 Branchiostoma lanceolatum, Gray ; Cat. Br. Museum, p. 150. 



If the Borer, or Myxine exhibits in its structure and habits 

 a wide departure from the ordinary race of fishes, the Lancelet 

 does the same in not a less degree, although in a widely 

 different direction; while in both instances a mistake has been 

 made in reference to their proper station in nature. Pallas 

 was the first naturalist who had an opportunity of examining 

 the fish now called the Lancelet, but it was under unfavourable 

 circumstances; and hence he was led to arrange it among 

 the mollusks, under the name of Limax lanceolatus ; but as 

 the correction of this error forms a portion of the history of 

 the fish itself, it is proper we should relate the manner in 

 which that correction has been obtained. The example pos- 

 sessed by this eminent naturalist was sent to him from Cornwall, 

 which circumstance may be explained by believing that it was 

 obtained by him, with other natural productions, from John 

 Hawkins, Esq., who had travelled much on the Continent, 

 and in so doing had cultivated acquaintance with the more 

 eminent naturalists there, to whom on his return he was liberal 

 in sending contributions. His name has been mentioned 



