XVI INTRODUCTION. 



(3.) The third and last order of the soft-finned fishes, which also closes 

 the whole series, is characterized by the absence altogether of the ventral 

 fins. Hence it is called Apodal (from a, without^ and 'jrovg, Tfohog, 

 a foot). It scarcely contains more than a single family, the 



MuranidtE : — or Eel tribe. 



Well known by their elongated snake-like form, ; smooth, slippery, and 

 slimy skin, in which the minute scales are so imbedded as to be imper- 

 ceptible till dried. 



Examples : — Eel, Conger-eel, Mursena, Morris, Sand-eel, and Sand- 

 launce of England ; Eiro, Congro, Moreia, &c. of Madeira. 



• Funchal, Madeira, April 25th, 1839. 



Explanation of the Plate illustrative of the Anatomy and Osteology of Fishes. N. B. — The 

 figures I. and II. are of the common Perch, after MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes : figures IV. and V. 

 are taken from an individual of Beryx decadacii/lus, Cuv. The numbers and letters of reference, 

 for the most part, correspond with those used by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes in the first 

 volume of the Histoire des Poissons, and in their accompanying anatomical plates. 



No. Fig. I. 



17. Intermaxillary. 



18. Maxillary. 



19. First suborbitary. 

 30. Pre-opercle. 



33. Inter-opercle. 

 28. Opercle. 

 32. Sub- opercle. 



46. Superscapulary. 



47. Scapulary. 



48. Humeral. 



51. Cubital. 



52. Radial. 



53. Carpal. 



43. Branchial or branchiostegous rays. 



67. Last abdominal vertebra. 



68. First two caudal vertebrae.* 

 74. Interspinals. 



Figs. II. and V. 



A. jEsophagus. 



B. Stomach. 



C. Pylorus. 



D. Caica. 



E. Intestine. 



F. Branchial arches. 

 N. Gall-bladder. 



Fig. III. 



No. 



61. Vomer. 



22. Palatines. 



d. Dorsal fin. 

 a. Anal — . 

 p. Pectoral -^. 

 V. Ventral — . 

 c. Caudal — . 



Fig. IV. 



No. 



56. Lower pharyngeal plates. 



62. Upper . 



* In the common Perch, according to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, there are forty-two ver- 

 tebra;, viz. twenty-one abdominal, and twenty-one caudal. 



