132 _ REPORT—1840. 
man and higher Mammals, and that the ventral fins are the analogues 
of the pelvis and posterior extremities. The error of this opinion it is 
the object of this communication to point out. 
Tabular view of the names of the several parts of the skeleton of 
fishes analogous to the limbs of higher Vertebrals. 
Dr. Macponatp. IcHTHYOLOGICAL Cuvier. Sr. Hrvarre. 
Names. 
Scapulo-clavicular arch. a. Pre-opercular bones. 
Arm or Wing . Opercular. Stapes. 
Fore-arm. . ‘Opercular Bones. Inter-opercular. Malleus. 
Tans vasa Kil osu ah GAAS AT Gh weve oth To Sub-opercular. Orbiculare. 
Relvisiecotsi «kes - . . . + « (Scapula, or Supra-scapula. 
Bemnreas poh setae Scapula. 
Fue t,t p PECTORAL FIN: + Commeaid, 
MIDAS 5 SWce! is peace ree ae Clavicle and humerus. 
( Radius. 
Ulnar. 
RRATSUS Fours a aka ack lp Fin-rays. Carpus. 
Metacarpus. 
Phalanges. 
7 { Pelvis. 
Belonging to the ex- ' Femur. 
ternal skeleton. | Fibula. 
; qo VES GRATE EIN: 2 ne 
Pubis, or the cartilagi- r = 7 -4 Patella 
nous extremities of the 
Tarsus (7 bones). 
lamine. 
! Metatarsus. 
J Phalanges. 
By referring to the table, it will be seen that Geoffroy St. Hilaire 
proposed the opercular bones as the analogues of the bones of the in- 
ternal ear in a very expanded state. This theory, however, was scarcely 
tenable, and was never generally received. The author showed that, 
viewing the whole animal on a zoological scale, or even restricting the 
survey to the class of fishes alone, it will be more in accordance with 
analogy of structure and function to consider, that in the osseous fishes 
the opercular bones are the analogues of the shoulder and arm, which, in 
the cartilaginous rays are found so greatly enlarged and developed as 
to form nearly the whole body, acting like wings, as organs of motion. 
In the skeleton of the Lophius Piscatorius, exhibited through the kind- 
ness of the venerable Professor Jeffrey, it will be seen that there is a 
set of fin-rays attached to the opercular bones; but as these are only 
developed in the substance of the skin, and have never protruded be- 
yond.the surface, this fin has never been noticed by systematisers and 
naturalists, who disregarding characters established on organic struc- 
ture, are satisfied with the useful, but more superficial characters of fin, 
scale, or feather. 
The constant connexion between the anterior extremity and the 
respiratory organs assists in tracing the analogies ; and when the organ 
of motion is provided by the tail, as in osseous fishes, then the usual 
