THE COMMON SUCKING-FISH. I39 



there is a dark spot. Superstition asserts that when 

 St. Peter took the tribute money out of the mouth 

 of a fish of this species, he left the impression of his 

 finger and thumb, which has ever since been conti- 

 nued to the whole race of Haddocks *. 



THE SUCKING-FISH TRIBEf. 



THE Sucking-fishes have a naked, fiat, and oily 

 head, surrounded by a narrow margin, and marked 

 with several transverse streaks or grooves. They 

 have also ten rays in their gill-membrane ; and their 

 body is destitute of scales. 



There are only three known species : these are 

 occasionally seen in the Mediterranean Sea, and the 

 Pacific Ocean. 



THE COMMON SUC K ING-F ISH J. 



This singular animal is usually about a foot in 

 length, and has sixteen or more furrows on the top 

 of the head. The back is convex and black, and 

 the belly white. The tail is forked. 



It inhabits most parts of the ocean, and is often 



* Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 179. 

 + The third of the Linnxan orders of fishes, the Thoracic Fish 

 commence with this tribe. 



X Echeneis remora. Linn* 



