500 



A COMPLEX APPARATUS. 



lattice being movable, and the whole being horizontally 

 arranged. Two series of transverse osseous laminse, or 

 plates, parallel to each other, but separated by a longitu- 

 dinal partition, and enclosed in an oval fleshy framework ; 



THE REMORA. 



each lamina articulated at one end to the framework, at 

 the other to the central partition, and furnished on its 

 posterior edge, which it raises or lowers at will, with 

 several rows of sharp spines ; finally, a set of special 

 muscles to set in motion these laminae ; such is the 

 adhesive apparatus of the remora. 



By several eminent authorities it is referred to the fin 

 type ; and De Blainville regarded it as an imperfect 

 medial fin, with half the rays inclined to the right, and 

 the other half to the left. We need not trouble the 

 reader with a scientific disquisition on this point. Suffice 

 it to state, that it is through the apparatus we have de- 

 scribed the remora makes good its holdfast on any special 

 object. In what manner, however, the tenacious action 



