SUB-BRACHIAL SOFT-FINNED FISHES. 343 



water by seizing a Lump-sucker which had attached itself to the 

 bottom. 



FlG. 274. LUMP-SUCKER. 



The Sucking-fishes (Echeneis)* are remarkable for 

 the possession of a flattened disk that covers the 

 back of their head, composed of a great number 

 of moveable transverse cartilaginous plates, by the 

 assistance of which the animal can attach itself to 

 rocks, to vessels, or to other fishes, particularly to 

 the shark. A species which lives in the Mediterra- 

 nean and the Atlantic has been long celebrated 

 under the name of 



The Remora, t or Sucking-fish (Echeneis Remora), and its history is 

 loaded with fable. It was pretended that this fish lived by a species 

 of suction exerted by means of the disk above mentioned ; and 



FlU. 275. THE REJlOliA. 



the power of arresting the fastest-sailing vessel in her course was 

 attributed to it. A much larger species is common in the Isle 

 of France ; and it is said that on the coast of Caffraria it is 

 employed in fishing, being sent off in pursuit of fishes and Turtles, 

 and drawn in by a line attached to the tail as soon as it has 

 fixed itself to its prey. 



* exo?, echo, to hold ; vavs, naus, a ship, because they were thought 

 to be able to arrest the course of ships at sea. 



t Remora, a hindrance, so called because they were said to detain 

 ships. 



