48 THE TARPON 



tion until the rains once more fill the pools. The authorities I 

 consulted were silent on the air-breathing habit of the tarpon. 

 I determined to seek scientific aid so I sent a 19'' tarpon to 

 Dr. Hildebrand and requested him to examine the structure of 

 the air-bladder. This fish had been immersed so long in the 

 solution that it had decomposed. I tried again and on June 

 26th, 1936, I wrote him in reference to two small tarpon I was 

 sending him, saying: 



''Please examine the swim bladder and note its connec- 

 tions. You will remember that the last tarpon I sent you 

 was too far gone to enable you to reach any conclusion in 

 this regard. The air-gulping habit of this fish is peculiar 

 and the air-bladder may reflect it in some way. ' ' 

 These fish also spoiled in transit but I persisted and finally 

 two small fish in good condition reached the Doctor. He dis- 

 sected them and wrote me on July 24, 1936, in part as follows : 

 "(c) Specimen 300 mm. (12 inches) long from tip to 

 tip ; 245 mm. from tip of snout to base of caudal fin. Great- 

 est depth 62 mm. ; greatest width 27 mm. ; girth 157 mm. ; 

 weight 1/2 lb. ; scales between lateral line and origin of 

 dorsal 4^/2 rows ; 5 rows between lateral line and origin of 

 anal; oblique series between margin of opercle and base 

 of caudal, counted just above lateral line, 45. Dorsal rays 

 14, including 2 rudiments ; anal rays 23, including 2 rudi- 

 ments. Stomach contents, 1 small silverside (Menidia sp.). 

 The air bladder is firmly attached to the gullet slightly 

 posterior to the anterior end of the bladder. In the center 

 of the attachment is an orifice large enough to be seen 

 without magnification even in the comparatively small 

 specimen. No other openings were found. 



"To determine if openings were present a small blow- 

 pipe was inserted in a puncture made at about mid-length 

 of the air bladder after one side of the abdominal wall had 

 been dissected away, leaving, however, all internal organs 

 intact. The specimen was immersed in water. Then, blow- 



