greedily on mussel and on periwinkle, swallowing large portions entire, till it becomes evidently distended with the quantity; it will likewise eat black Planarie; and, sad to say of so pretty a creature, seems quite ready to devour its own species.

FISHES.

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CHAPTER LV.

FISHES-AMPHIOXUS-ECHENEIS-SYNGNATHUS

CONCLUSION.

"And fish that with their fins and shining scales Glide under the green wave;...

.....

part single, part with mate,

Graze the sea-weed their pasture, and through groves
Of coral stray, or sporting, with quick glance,

Show to the sun their waved coats dropp'd with gold."

To complete our already lengthy list of animals. adapted to the aquarium, either on account of their beautiful structure, or the interest attaching to their history, we have yet to notice the Fishes, properly so called, an important group, which at least, so far as regards the enlivenment of the tank, some of our readers may consider to be

Varied, indeed, and never-failing subjects of admiration are many of the species to be met with on the coast, and were they equally harmless to their neighbours, the reader would have only to select the prettiest forms, suitable by their size or playfulness, to be the inmates of his collection; but, as has been

already observed in our opening chapter, the choice must be made with caution, for unfortunately the association of most of them with rare specimens belonging to the inferior ranks of life is at all times a very hazardous experiment; the innocence of their appearance and the gaiety of their apparel are frequently allowed to plead powerfully in their behalf, and we must therefore warn our friends against the indiscriminate voracity for which they are too often conspicuous—

"nimium ne crede colori.”

There are, however, a few we wish to recommend to the notice of the aquariist, as being remarkable for peculiarities in their economy of sufficient importance to arrest attention.

The LANCELET (Amphioxus lanceolatus) (Pl. VIII. fig. 17) is perhaps one of the most paradoxical creatures met with in the whole range of Natural History -a fish without either head, brain, or eyes, and yet having a distinct vertebral column-possessing, instead of gills, the branchial apparatus of an Ascidian; and so entirely anomalous in its entire organization, which, owing to the transparency of the creature, may be distinctly studied under the microscope, that it may well be regarded as the greatest puzzle in the Animal Creation*, and a subject well worthy of the closest study.

The SUCKING-FISH (Echeneis Remora) (Pl. VIII.

For a full account of the anatomy of this wonderful animal, the scientific reader is referred to the author's "General Outline of the Structure of the Animal Kingdom," 2nd edit.

AMPHIOXUS LANCEOLATUS.

515

fig. 18), although by no means common, is occasionally to be met with upon our coast, and is at once recognizable by the flattened oval adhesive disc, situated upon the top of its head, by means of which singular contrivance the creature is able to attach itself firmly to the surface of other fishes, or to the bottoms of ships; but whether for protection or convenience, is a question not yet satisfactorily ascertained. Long before the invention of railways, the little Remora was enabled to appreciate to the fullest extent the advantages to be derived from rapid travelling and cheap fares, indulging itself with both to its heart's content whenever inclined for an excursion; and, moreover, by no means restricted to some given line of road, inasmuch as, simply selecting any passing shark, or other fleet conveyance, without even the ceremony of taking a ticket, it is able to assume possession of its outside place, and whenever it chooses, by the mere detachment of its adhesive disc, it at once alights, without troubling itself at all about "the company's servants."

We can easily imagine the envy with which such privileges were regarded in ancient times, and are scarcely surprised that a poor little fish thus eminently favoured should soon become a mark for the shafts of detraction and slander; nay, that it should be accused of crimes and misdemeanors to which the sin of witchcraft was venial. That a witch could ride on a broomstick was mere child's play in comparison with the atrocious feats of the Echeneis, that is able, as we are told, to arrest the progress of a man-of-war in full sail (èxevnis, ëxw—vaûs, holding ships back),

and positively change the fate of empires by interfering with the exploits of kings and kaisers :

"Looking far forth into the ocean wide,

A goodly ship, with banners bravely dight,
And flag in her top-gallant, I espy'd,

Through the main sea making her merry flight;
Faire blew the wind into her bosome right;
And th' heavens looked lovely all the while;
That she did seem to daunce, as in delight,
And at her own felicity did smile.

All suddainly there clove unto her keele
A little fish that men call REMORA,

Which stopp'd her course, and held her by the heele,
That winde nor tide could move her thence away.
'Tis straunge, me seemeth, that so small a thing
Should able be so great an one to wring."

Pliny descants upon this subject with his usual gravity, and the reader may possibly be amused with an old translation of the account given by the Roman naturalist :

"The current of the sea is great, the tide much, the winds vehement and forcible; and more than that, ores and sailes withall, to help forward the rest, are mightie and powerfull; and yet there is one little sillie fish, named Echeneis, that checketh, scorneth, and arresteth them all. Let the winds blow as much as they will, rage the storms and tempests what they can, yet this little fish commandeth their furie, restraineth their puissance, and maugre all their force, as great as it is, compelleth ships to stand still, a thing which no cables, be they never so big, and able as they will, can perform. She bridleth the violence and tameth the greatest rage of this universall world,