REMORAS, 
269 
Family IX. Echeneidid^. 
{Remoras,) 
The species, about twenty in number, which 
compose this Family, are all included in a single 
genus. They are at once distinguished by a 
lengthened oval disk running along the top of the 
head, divided into two longitudinal portions by a 
central ridge. Across each division run many 
transverse plates of cartilage, having a finely 
toothed edge directed backwards. They either 
lie fiat, or can be made by muscular effort to 
stand partially erect. The body is lengthened, 
and covered with small scales, ordinarily con- 
cealed by a dense coat of mucus, only perceptible 
to the touch if the hand be passed along the 
surface from the tail forwards. The mouth is 
wide, and opens vertically upwards; the jaws, 
tongue, and vomer are furnished with small teeth. 
There is a single dorsal placed far back, and 
opposite to the anal. 
The species are chiefly natives of the warmer 
seas ; two are recognised as inhabiting the Medi- 
terranean, and a single example of one of these 
has been taken on the British coast. 
Genus Echeneis, (Linn.) 
As the technical characters of this, the only 
genus of the Family, have been enumerated above, 
they need not be repeated. We shall, therefore, 
content ourselves with a brief notice of the com- 
mon Remora {Echeneis remora^ Linn.) of the 
