212 CR USTA CEA. PART in. 



Epizoa, or Suctorial Crustacea. 



The Epizoa infest the skin, eyes, and gills of fishes. 

 Many of them in their adult state bear a strong resem- 

 blance to the lowest of the Crustacea ; but, in general, 

 the resemblance between these two classes of animals 

 can only be traced during the extraordinary changes 

 which the Epizoa undergo in their early life, and they 

 differ so much in their perfect state that it is wonderful 

 any connection should ever have been discovered be- 

 tween them. The Epizoa are extremely varied in their 

 perfect forms, and the class generally is supposed to be 

 more numerous than the whole race of fishes. In the 

 lower orders of the Epizoa the mouth is suctorial ; the 

 higher orders adhere to their victim by jointed mandibles 

 ending in hooks. The Epizoa are male and female : the 

 male is small and free, the female is fixed, and generally 

 has a pair of long egg-sacs hanging from her body. 



