ABSORBENTS OF FISHES. 457 



ventral parietes of the abdomen, along the median line from the 

 vent forward to the interspace of the pectoral fins, where the 

 size of the vessel best favours the insertion of the injecting-pipe. 

 It receives the lymphatics of the pectorals, and (in thoracic and 

 jugular Fishes) of the ventral fins : then, advancing forward 

 through the coracoid arch, it spreads out into a rich network, 

 which almost surrounds the pericardium. The lymphatic plexus 

 which covers the heart of the Sturgeon and Paddle-fish presents 

 a spongy and almost glandular appearance when uninjected : the 

 tissue between the muscular and mucous coats of the gullet in 

 the Kays, 1 the gland-like mass in the orbit and palate of the 

 Chimasrse, and that lodged in a peritoneal fold of certain Sharks, 

 may likewise be appendages to the lymphatic system. 2 Large 

 lymphatic trunks from the upper (dorsal) part of the circum- 

 cardial plexus receive the lymphatics of the myocommata by a 

 deep-seated trunk which runs along the ribs, and the lymphatics 

 of the mucous ducts and integuments by a superficial trunk which 

 extends along the lateral line, and gets a penniform character by 

 the regular mode in which its tributary lymphatics join it. 



In the Wolf-fish (Anarrhichas) the lacteals commence in pro- 

 cesses of the edges of the mucous folds by cells or blind ends, 

 from which the vessels proceed to form a close plexus on the 

 outer surface of the intestine, and accompany in a plexiform 

 manner the bloodvessels. In the Turbot there are similar 

 plexiform surroundings of the bloodvessels of the stomach: and 

 in Silurus glanis the lacteal network covers all the stomach. 3 



In the Eel the gastro-enteric absorbent plexus communicates 

 with a cavernous sinus upon the lower surface of the stomach, 

 and with a larger one which accompanies the intestinal canal, 

 whence other plexuses pass to the great subvertebral lymphatic 

 trunks. Along the free border of the intestinal spiral valve, in 

 Plagiostomes, there is a varicose lacteal reservoir, from which 

 proceed the vessels forming the reticulate layer beneath the 

 mucous membrane. The lymphatics of the head form minor 

 plexuses at the bases of the orbits, and in the Carp they extend 

 into the basi-cranial canal ; those from the cellular arachnoid pass 

 through the occipital foramen to join the lymphatics of the spinal 

 canal, and terminate in the cervical and sub-occipital trunks, 

 which receive the lymphatics from the upper extremities of the 

 gills : these, with the deep-seated lymphatics from the kidneys, 

 join the single or double trunks at the under part of the vertebral 



1 xx. vol. i. p. 12C, no. 462. • 2 cclxi. p. 269. 



3 cv. pp. 27, 30, pi. 6, figs. 1 and 2 ; pi. 7, figs. 3 and 4. 



