No. 629] STUDIES IN E CHEN EI S OR REMOBA 519 



cracked until it looked as if its tail would be ])ullcd off. 

 Furthermore, scores of observers have noted that the fish 

 would allow itself to be pulled iu two rather than let ^o. 

 In Dr. Townsend's article, Mr. L. L. Mowbray, of the Xew 

 York Aquarium, is quoted as believing tliiil the luiiier 

 strain while under the w^eight of a considcr.-ihlc roluiim of 

 water can not relax the grip of its disk. With a backward 

 pull on its tail the teeth setting in the e])idermis of its host 

 would tend to keep the lamelkr vertical, for the lamellae 

 can only come to rest, relaxing the gi'as]) of the disk, by 

 describing an arc backward and downward. AVlietlicr or 

 not Mr. Alowbray's suggestion is tena])le. it is certain that 

 with a strong pull backward on its tail the Kcheiiois would 

 find it hard, perhaps imy>ossible, to flatt(Mi the disk and let 

 go its hold. 



The data offered above ought to convince any one that 

 Echeneis can liold on tightly enoui>h to enable the fisher- 

 man to haul in the j.rey thus laid iiold of by the ti>li, but 



