CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMAL PREPARATIONS. 431 



The scales of the eel tribe are amongst the most remark- 

 able that can be selected for microscopic examination ; many- 

 persons consider that these fish are without scales, in conse- 

 quence of their being firmly imbedded in a thick epidermal 

 mucus ; in order, therefore, to procure them, a sharp knife 

 must be passed underneath the epidermal layer, and a portion 

 of this raised in the same manner as was described for tearing 

 off the cuticle of plants, after some trials a few wiU be 

 detached; they are of an oval figure, rather softer than 

 the scales of other fishes, and in some parts of the skin do not 

 form a continuous layer. When the skin has been stripped 

 off, previous to the fish being cooked, the scales may be 

 obtained from the under surface, by tearing them away either 

 with a knife or pair of forceps. The scales of the Viviparous 

 Blenny are of a circular figure, and situated under the 

 epidermal layer ; they have been described by Mr. Yarrell as 

 mucous glands, in consequence of their figure and the smaU- 

 ness of their numbers. The surface of the skin of this fish, 

 when fresh, appears covered with follicles; if, however, a 

 knife be passed underneath one of these, a delicate circular 

 scale wiU be removed. A portion of the skin, when dried, 

 wiU exhibit the scales to great advantage, and, like those of 

 the eel, they form beautiful objects for polarized light. 



