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The antennz and claws of the second maxillipedes are 
plunged into the tissues of the fish along with the teeth 
of the maxilla, lacerating the skin, and into this wound 
the suctorial mouth is directed. The blade-like mandibles 
assist in collecting the particles of food material. These 
ave sucked up, pass down the oesophagus into the stomach, 
where they are at once acted on by the fluid from the 
digestive glands, and the colour of any blood present may 
then be discharged. It is usually at the junction of the 
esophagus with the stomach that any red coloured 
particles occur. The food can then be traced along the 
stomach and intestine, and the waste matter is expelled 
from the anus in long strings. 
On comparing transverse sections of the alimentary 
canal of Lepeophtheirus and of Lernea which happen to 
contain food, and have been stained in eosin and hema- 
toxylin, there is seen to be a marked similarity in the 
nature of the food in the two cases. Both are finely 
granular, and stain red with eosin. Mucus from the 
flounder has no such granular appearance. 
It is stated by some Zoologists that copepod parasites 
are generally found most abundantly on weak and 
diseased fishes. It is not so with Lepeophtheirus 
pectoralis. Flounders with many parasites in our tanks 
were in as good condition as those that had none. They 
were never found on flounders which were thin and in 
poor condition, as they detach themselves and swim away 
when the fish becomes feeble. This was proved by actual 
experiments and observations at the Piel Hatchery. 
THE Bioop anp CIRCULATION. 
There is no heart in Lepeophtheirus, nor are there any 
proper blood vessels. 
F 
