MORRIS. 
349 
mouth, as if only just then grasped at and seized. In the 
water its motions are slow and undulating through its whole 
length; and it is noticed that where they begin the action at 
first is near the head, and it proceeds backward through its 
length. 
As there is only one known species of this genus in the 
seas of Europe, a description of this fish will practically serve 
for that of the genus itself; but in the several examples that 
have passed under our notice there have appeared differences 
which tend to shew that the fish itself is subject to some 
variety, or perhaps that in different examples (here are portions 
of its character which are in these instances brought more 
prominently into view. It is retentive of life. 
fhe appearance of this fish M^'hen alive represents a thin 
ribbon of transparent jelly, and the only opaque portion is 
the eye, which appears like a circular plate of brilliant silver. 
A mutilation of the head in the original specimen was the 
occasion of the generic name, but this part is not disproportionally 
small; the jaws equal; no teeth in the upper jaw perceptible, 
in the lower jaw a single row regularly placed; six orifices 
of mucous glands along each side of the lower jaw. Length 
of the fish six or seven inches; in a single instance the back 
was raised close behind the head; the depth of the body 
increasing behind the vent, which is about the posterior third 
of the length, and after this tapering to the tail. An usually 
well-marked lateral line, with indentations, (apparently for ribs,) 
straight; and from the thorax back a line, usually marked 
with a row of minute dots, to the tail. A well-marked 
pectoral fin. The dorsal begins at about one third of the 
length, and joins the anal to form the tail. In a living 
example I have counted the spinous processes of the vertebra 
one hundred and fifty-two in number; the brain appearing 
opaque, like pale milk, the medulla oblongata (proceeding from 
it) rising and passing off backward near the summit; but no 
further appearance of a nervous system was discerned. Although 
the general appearance of this fish is singularly without colour, 
some excejitions have been noticed: in some instances there 
was a dark band across the forehead from eye to eye; and 
again a general faint tinge of bronze over the body; silver-like 
marks at the ribs, which became bluish towards the tail. 
