THE MYXINE. 295 



The lesser figure on page 204 represents the Lampern, called in some counties of England 

 the Lampeeew, with that curious faculty of transposition which induces the rustic to speak 

 of thursting instead of thrusting, and to call birds' nests, brids' neestins. 



The Lampern is plentiful in many rivers, and if the generality of residents near the water 

 were only aware of its excellence for the table, would soon be thinned in numbers. The 

 prejudice that exists against the eel and the lamprey is absolutely mild when compared with 

 the horror with which the Lampern is contemplated. Not only do the ignorant people refuse 

 to eat it, but they believe it to be actually poisonous, and would sooner handle an angry 

 viper than a poor harmless Lampern. 



The flesh of the Lampern is remarkably good, and is indeed admired by many who have 

 not the least idea of the fish they are eating. 



A beautiful adaptation of structure to circumstances is seen in the Pouched Lamprey, 

 an inhabitant of the fresh waters of Southern Australia. 



This remarkable fish possesses many points of interest, among which the enormous throat- 

 pouch is the most conspicuous. In the common sea-Lamprey of Europe, the throat is dilatable 

 below, but in the present species the skin is distended so greatly a 5 to form a, large pouch, such 

 as is represented in the engraving. Taking into consideration the frequent droughts that take 

 place in the country where this creature lives, it is almost certain that the pouch is intended 

 to hold a supply of water, which will enable respiration to be carried on during the days of 

 drought. 



The mouth of this species is very large and filled with formidable teeth, the whole interior 

 of the disc being studded with them, and the tongue armed with two long and sharp fangs 

 that seem calculated to do good service to their owner. 



A very remarkable species of lampern, termed the Saxd Pktoe. or Mt t d Lamprey 

 (Ammoccetes branch /ails), is found in many rivers, and has sometimes been mistaken for the 

 young of the sea-lamprey. It is represented in the lowest figure of the picture on page 294. 



It may, however, be distinguished by the form of the mouth, which is of a horse-shoe 

 shape, and incapable of adhesion like that of the fishes belonging to the preceding genus. 

 The Sand Pride, although tolerably common, is not very of ten seen, owing to its habit of 

 burying itself in the muddy or sandy beds of rivers. Its color is yellowish-brown, the latter 

 tint preponderating on the back and the former beneath. It is a very small species, seldom 

 exceeding six or seven inches in length. 



The Myxine, or Glutinous Hag-fish is so remarkably worm-like in its form and general 

 appearance that it was classed with the annelids by several authors, and was only placed in 

 its proper position among the fishes after careful dissection. 



The Myxine is seldom taken when at large in the sea, but is captured while engaged 

 in devouring the bodies of other fish, to which it is a fearful enemy in spite of its innocuous 

 appearance. It has a custom of getting inside the cod and similar fishes, and entirely con- 

 suming the interior, leaving only the skin and the skeleton remaining. The fishermen have 

 good reason to detest the Myxine, for it takes advantage of the helpless state in which the 

 cod-fish hangs on the hook, makes its way into the interior, and if the fish should happen 

 to be caught at the beginning of a tide, will leave but little fiesh on the bones. The cod thus 

 hollowed are technically called "robbed" fish. Six Myxines have been found within the 

 body of a single haddock. 



The name of Glutinous Hag-fish is derived from the enormous amount of mucous secretion 

 which the Myxine has the power of pouring, from a double row of apertures, set along the 

 'whole of the under surface, from the head to the tail. It is said that the fish is accustomed to 

 envelop itself in a cloud of glutinous matter whenever it is alarmed, and under cover of this 

 substance to escape the view of its enemies ; thus presenting a. curious parallel to the well- 

 known habit of the sepia and the aplysia, or sea-hare, which, when startled, stain the water 

 with their protective secretion ami shoot off under shelter of the sudden darkness. 



Around the lips of the Myxine are eight delicate barbules, which are evidently intended 

 as organs of touch ; the mouth is furnished with a single hooked tooth upon the palate, serving 



