496 THE HAG-FISH. 
fish with the bare fingers, and had six or seven fixed on my hand at the same 
time ; but they never did the least harm, and though | am atflic'ed with a pecu- 
liarly delicate skin, they did not even leave the least mars of their presence. 
Like the sea lamprey, it scoops hollows in the pebbly bed of some stream 
for the purpose of depositing its eggs, and removes the stones in like manner. 
Sometimes a pair of Lamperns settle upon one spot, and, by dint of tugging 
and hauling, make a cradle for their special benefit. But it often happens 
that a great number of these fish, fifty or sixty, for example, will settle them- 
selves in the same locality, and make a hollow as large as the rim of an 
ordinary pail. 
The flesh of the Lampern is remarkably excellent, and in many places, 
remote from its habitation, is in great repute, and is indeed admired by 
many who have not the least idea of the fish they are eating. A large part of 
the “eel” pies so famous in the metropolis is composed of Lampern flesh, 
and in the opinion of competent judges the substitute is better than the 
reality. It can be dressed in a variety of ways, stewing and potting being 
the favourites. Yet, as a general rule, the poorer portion of the community 
refuse to eat the fish, and suffer the pangs of cruel hunger rather than avail 
themselves of the rich banquet at their very doors. 
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 consuming the interior, leaving only the 
skin and the skel: ton 
remaining. The fisher- 
men have good reason 
to detest the Myxine, 
for it takes advantave 
of the helpless state in 
which the cod-fish hangs 
: i on the hook, makes its 
HAG-FISH, OR MYXINE.—(AZyxine glutinosa.) way into the interior, 
and if the fish should 
happen to be caught at the beginning of the tide, will leave but little flesh 
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 
fies apertures, set along the whole of the under surface, from the head to 
he tail, 
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 apparently as an organ of prehension, 
and the tongue is supplied with a double row of smaller, but powerful teeth 
on each side, acting on the principle of a rasp. The Myxine can scarcely be 
said to possess any bones, the only indication of a skeleton being the verte- 
bral column, which is nothing more than a cartilaginous tube, through which 
‘. probe can be passed in either direction. 
_ the colour of the Hag-fish is dark brown above, taking a paler tint on the 
sides, and greyish yellow below. Its length is generally about a foot or 
fifteen inches. 
