194 PECULIARITIES IN THE STRUCTURE 



VIL— ON CERTAIN PECULIARITIES IN THE STRUC- 

 TURE OF THE SHORT SUN-FISH (ORTHAGO- 

 RISCUS MOLA).* 



The anatomy of an animal or vegetable may be investigated 

 and described with two objects in view ; first, the elucidation 

 of its habits, and of its true place in the system ; or, secondly, 

 the discovery of the laws which regulate organic form and 

 tissue (Morphological and Teleological laws). 



It is with the latter object in view that I have now to 

 offer a few observations on certain peculiarities in the struc- 

 ture of the sun-fish, as confirmatory of some of the principles 

 to which I have just alluded. 



The anatomy of this fish has been investigated by Dr. 

 Jacob, in a paper which I have not had an opportunity of 

 consulting.*!" Cuvier and Meckel, in their Systems of Com- 

 parative Anatomy, have recorded its various peculiarities ; but 

 as the observations of these anatomists have a reference to its 

 general structure, I shall not have occasion to refer again to 

 their labours. J 



The specimen I had an opportunity of examining was the 

 very large individual lately procured for the Natural History 



* Read before the "Wernerian Society, 12th December 1840. 



f Dublin Philosophical Journal, November 1826, referred to by Mr. 

 Yarrell. 



X Since this paper was -written, 1 have seen a Leyden Inaugural Disserta- 

 tion, May 1840, P. H. J. Wellenbergh, Observationes Anatomicoz de Orthra- 

 (joritco Mola. The author gives a detailed account of the skeleton, intestinal 

 canal, and heart ; but throws no light on any of the subjects treated of by 

 me. 



