•306 THE VITAL FUNCTIONS. 



scale than in the preceding figure, in Fig. 369. 

 There is also an equal number of internal 

 openings, seen in the lower part of this last 

 figure, leading into a tube, the lower end of 

 which is closed, and the upper terminates by 

 a fringed edge in the cesophagus. The water 

 wdiich is received by the seven lateral openings, 

 enters at one side, and after it has acted upon the 

 gills, passes round the projecting membranes. 

 The greater part makes its exit by the same 

 orifices ; but a portion escapes into the middle 

 tube, and thence passes, either into the other 

 cavities, or into the cesophagus*. 



In the Myxine, which feeds upon the internal 

 parts of its prey, and buries its head and part 

 of its body in the flesh, the openings of the 

 respiratory organs are removed sufficiently far 

 from the head to admit of respiration going on 

 while the animal is so employed ; and there are 

 only two external openings, and six lateral 

 pouches on each side, with tubes similar to those 

 in the lamprey. 



The Perca scandens (Daldorff*)!, which is a 

 fish inhabiting the seas of India, has a very 

 remarkable structure adapting it to the main- 



* It was commonly supposed that the respired water is ejected 

 through the nostril : but this is certainly a mistake, for the 

 nostril has no communication with the mouth, as was pointed 

 out by Sir E. Home. Phil. Trans, for 1815, p. 259. These 

 organs have also been described by Bloch and GcEMtner. 



f Anthias testudineus {^\oc\\): Anabas (Cnw) 



