415 
AMPHTOXUS. 
The body compressed, without scales; mouth on the under part of 
the head lengthwise, and its border on each side within with tendrils. 
One tin along the back, joined to the anal to form the tail. No 
other fin. 
The name Amphioxits was bestowed because the fish thus characterized 
appears as if sharp at both ends. It has also been termed Branohi- 
ostoma, from a supposed position of the gills at the mouth. 
LANCELET. 
AmpUoxus lanceolatus, Tauebli.; Br. Pishes, vol. ii, p. 618. 
“ “ Loudon’s Mag. Nat. Hist., 1838, p. 38. 
Branchiostoma lanceolcdum, Gkay; Cat. Br. Museum, p. 150. 
If the Borer, or Myxine exhibits in its structure and habits 
a wide departure from the ordinary race of fishes, the Lancelot 
does the same in not a less degree, although in a widely 
different direction; while in both instances a mistake has been 
made in reference to their proper station in nature. Pallas 
was the first naturalist who had an opportunity of examining 
the fish now called the Lancelot, but it was under unfavourable 
circumstances; and hence he was led to arrange it among 
the mollusks, under the name of Limax lanceolatus; but as 
the correction of this error forms a portion of the history of 
the fish itself, it is proper we should relate the manner in 
which that correction has been obtained. The example pos- 
sessed by this eminent naturalist was sent to him from Cornw'all, 
which circumstance may be explained by believing that it Avas 
obtained by him, with other natural productions, from John 
Hawkins, Esq., who had travelled much on the Continent, 
and in so doing had cultivated acquaintance with the more 
eminent naturalists there, to whom on his return he was liberal 
in sending contributions. His name has been mentioned 
