464 PETROMYZIJXE. 



by sending me examples of many interesting species which 

 have been referred to throughout this work. The Myxine 

 is not uncommon at Berwick ; but it is only to be obtained 

 at a particular season of the year in one or two particular 

 localities, when during fine weather, at the end of spring or 

 the beginning of summer, the fishermen lay their long lines 

 on a bank with a soft mud bottom near that coast when 

 fishing for Cod and Haddock. It is considered by some 

 that the Myxine, which is without eyes, obtains access to 

 the interior of the body of the fish by passing in at the 

 anal aperture ; others endeavour to account for its being 

 found in the belly of a voracious fish by supposing it had 

 been swallowed ; while many experienced fishermen still 

 repeat their belief that the Myxine enters the mouth of the 

 Codfish while it is hanging on the line. It is conjectured 

 that the Myxine does not fasten upon any fish unless it be 

 either dead or entangled on a hook : but how a fish that is 

 blind is able to find its way to a particular aperture, is a 

 matter not easily explained. The eight barbules or cirri 

 about the mouth of the Myxine are, there is no doubt, 

 delicate organs of touch, by which it obtains cognizance of 

 the nature and quality of the substances with which they are 

 in contact ; and its single hooked tooth upon the palate en- 

 ables it to retain its hold till the double rows of lingual teeth 

 are brought into action to aid the desire to obtain food. 



The high northern geographical range of this singular fish 

 is shown by M. Nilsson including it among the fishes of 

 the shores of Scandinavia, where, he adds, four and even 

 six examples have been found within the body of one Had- 

 dock, the flesh of which was entirely consumed. The Myx- 

 ine is oviparous, and the ova are of the same colour, size, 

 and form as those of the Lampern, that is, small, round, 

 and yellow. 



