ON THE ANATOMY OF AMHilOXTJS LANCEOLATUS 385 



the opposite sides of all the ribs another set of vessels may be 

 seen, passing on to the chorda dorsalis, enlarging as they 

 advance, and sending off secondary branches at right angles. 

 When near the heads of the ribs, these vessels anastomose in 

 semicircular loops, the canals of which are of large calibre, 

 and the walls provided with distinct circular fibres. From 

 the angles between each of these loops, and continuous, there- 

 fore, with the primary branches, smaller trunks pass on to 

 the median line, and enter, opposite to their fellow at the 

 other side, into a small longitudinal vessel which runs along 

 the whole length of the chorda dorsalis, between the heads of 

 the ribs, and on the inferior surface of the inferior longitudinal 

 ligament. This vessel is the Aorta, and distributes arterial 

 branches to the various parts of the body. 



Generative System. 



This system consists of a series of somewhat irregular, 

 bean-shaped, granular bodies, situated each on the inside of 

 the inferior extremity of the ventral portions of twenty or 

 thirty of the muscular bundles of the middle third of the 

 animal. These masses are attached to the internal surface of 

 the aponeurotic lining of the abdomen, on the outside of the 

 branchial chamber. No duct or outlet could be detected. 

 Each mass, under the microscope, displayed a congeries of cells 

 of various sizes, evidently incipient ova or sperm cells. The 

 individual did not appear to be in season. 



Tegumcntary System. 



The shin is remarkably thin, but tough ; and exhibits 

 neither scales, pigment, nor metallic lustre, except at the base 

 of the dorsal fin, along which, or the upper edge of the inter- 

 spinous bones, a silvery band of considerable strength passes. 

 The skin, under (lie microscope, displays minute parallel 

 stria-, which occasionally cross one another. The beautiful 

 iridescent tints which ii exhibits, both before and alter detach- 



