306 THE VITAL FUNCTIONS. 



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

 There is also an equal number of internal open- 

 ings, 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 oesophagus. The water which 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 oesophagus*. 



. In the Myxiiie, 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)t, 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 

 nostrU 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 Gaertner. 



f Anthias testudineus (Bloch) : Anuhas (Cuv.) 



