FAMILY PETROMVZONID^ — PETROMYZON. 381 



THE BLUISFI SEA LAMPREY. 



PeTROMYZON NlfiRICANS. 



PLATK !,XXI\. FIG. 247. 



Petromyzon nigricans. Lesueur, Am. Phil. Soc. iirvv series, Vol. \, p. ^B5. 



The Bhnsh Lamjtrey^ P. id. Storer, Report on the Fishes of Massuchiiselts, p. 19C. 



Characteristics. Dorsals distinct, white. Jlouth with incurved leetli, projecting from widened 

 bases. Lengtli five to seven inches. 



Description. Body cyHndrical on its anterior third, compressed beliind. Head oval, flat- 

 tened on the top. Length of the head to the posterior angle of the eye, to the total length, 

 less tlian one-seventh. The branchial orifices running obliquely backward and downward 

 from the eyes. Mouth circular, half an inch in diameter, surrounded by a fleshy margin ; 

 armed within with numerous incurved teeth or horny spines projecting from widened bases, 

 resembling the spines with which the Raia? are armed. Three teeth in the throat ; two 

 higher up than the third, which is in front of and between the others. In the general ap- 

 pearance of the teeth, there is great resemblance between those of this species and the pre- 

 ceding. Eyes moderate. A .spiracle on the top of the head, anterior to the eyes. The first 

 dorsal fin commences back of the middle of the fish ; its posterior portion rounded ; its height 

 to its length as 3 to 8. The distance between the dorsals is equal to half the length of the 

 first dorsal. The second dorsal considerably higher than the first ; before reaching the caudal 

 fin, to which it is continued, it is depressed. Caudal fin a simple membrane, triangular at its 

 termination, and uniting with the anal fin, which is very small. Anus small. 



Color. Upper part of the body of a deep blue color ; beneath bluish white. Pupils black ; 

 iridcs silvery. Between the eyes, on the top of the heatl, a small white spot. Dorsal.s white ; 

 the second occasionally margined with bluish. 



Length 5" 0-7-0. 



I am only actpiaintcd with this species thnnigh the descriptions of Lesucur and Storer. 

 It is found attached to mackerel, haddock and cod fishes. 



THE SMALL LAMPREY. 



Petromvzon appendix. 

 PLATE L-XIV. FIC 211. 



Characteristics. Dorsals continuous, yellow. Anal lln with a thread-like ajjpcndi.x; on its 

 anterior portion. Lengih lour to six inches. 



Description. Body cylimb-iral, compressed on its posterior half. Head rounded in front. 

 Eyes Inrge, prominent, and near the dors;d outline. Temporal orifice tubular, central, and 

 about two-tenths of an inch anterior to a line drawn across the eyes. Mouth beneath, circu- 



