CLASS PISCES 



45 > 



or lymph. The thyroid is homologous to the endostyle of tuni- 

 cates (p. 391) and Amphioxus (p 396). It lies in the branchial 

 region and is paired. The thymus is situated dorsally in the 

 branchial region. The spleen is a large gland usually lying near 

 the stomach, colorless blood corpuscles are formed in it, and old 

 red corpuscles are destroyed by it. The suprarenal bodies are 

 situated close to the kidneys. 



The Respiratory System. — Respiration takes place in the 

 gills, and, in the Dipnoi and some teleosts, also to some extent 



A B 



Fig 37Q — Diagram illustrating the mechanism of respiration in teleosts 

 A, phase of inspiration B, phase of expiration (From Wicdershcim. alter 

 Dahlgren.) 



in the air-bladder During respiration in teleosts the walls of the 

 mouth act like a pump (Fig 379) In inspiration (A) the oral 

 cavity (cav oris) is enlarged by the raising of the opercular 

 apparatus, and water is therefore drawn into it through the. 

 mouth. Folds of mucous membrane (branchiostegal rn.ejrn,-. 



