the Remora, in ichthyology; a genus belonging to the order of thoracici. The head is flat, naked, depressed, and marked with a number of transverse ridges; it has ten rays in the branchiofuge membrane; and the body is naked. There are two species, viz. 1. The remora, or sucking-fish, with a forked tail, and 18 striae on the head. It is found in the Indian ocean. 2. The neucrates, with an undivided tail, and 16 striae on the head. It is likewise a native of the Indian ocean. These fishes are often found adhering so strongly to the sides of sharks and other great fish, by means of the structure of its head, as to be got off with difficulty. This fish was believed, by all the ancients, to have most wonderful powers, and to be able, by adhering to the bottom, to arrest the ECHINUS, in architecture, a member or ornament near the bottom of the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite capitals.

ECHITES, in botany: A genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 36th order, Confortae. There are two long and straight follicles; the seeds pappous; the corolla funnel-shaped, with the throat naked. The corymbosa, a species of this genus, is supposed to yield the elastic gum according to Jaquin. See CAOUTCHOUC.

ECHIUM, VIPER'S BUGLOSS, in botany: A genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 41st order, Apiferiflorae. The corolla is irregular, with the throat naked. There are seven species, three of which are natives of Britain. None of them have any remarkable property, except that the flowers of one species (the vulgare) are very grateful to bees. It is a native of many parts of Britain. The stem is rough with hairs and tubercles. The leaves are spear-shaped, and rough with hair. The flowers come out in lateral spikes. They are first red, afterwards blue; sometimes purple or white.—Cows and sheep are not fond of the plant; horses and goats refuse it.