Description of a Blind Fish from Kentucky. 95 
Alimentary canal; entire length less than that of the body. 
(Esophagus very short; stomach cylindrical, terminating posterior- 
ly in a short triangular cul de sac, the point of which reaches the 
posterior limit of the cavity of the abdomen. Stomach contract- 
ed, and mucous membrane thrown into longitudinal folds. Py- 
lorus situated near posterior extremity of stomach; has a distinct 
valve which projects into cavity of duodenum; two short pyri- 
form cecal appendages, open by distinct orifices on opposite sides 
of intestine. Mucous membrane of small intestine arranged in 
reticulated cells, which become less distinct towards termina- 
tion. Length of small intestine 14 inches; of large intestine $ 
inch ; the two separated by a distinct valve. 
Liver consists of two lobes; left extending nearly whole length 
of abdominal cavity, right very short. Gall-bladder distinct. 
Air bladder cordiform, deeply cleft anteriorly. 
Brain ; from anterior extremity of olfactory lobes to posterior 
portion of cerebellum, 0.24 inch. Olfactory lobes in contact 
with and just in front of cerebral hemisphere, of slightly pyri- 
form shape, and giving off large olfactory nerves. Cerebral lobes, 
nearly spherical, slightly compressed on median line, where the 
right and left unite. Optic lobes much smaller than preceding, and 
partly concealed by the cerebellum. Cerebellum nearly spherical, 
slightly divided on median line, giving it a somewhat cordiform 
appearance. Fourth ventricle completely exposed, and widely 
open. Posterior pyramidal bodies distinct, projecting over the 
cavity of the ventricle near its middle. External to these last 
arise the branchio-gastric nerves. Auditory sacs large; ampulle 
of semicircular canals containing otolites, one of which is of a 
trapezoidal shape, and nearly equalling in size one of the cerebral 
hemispheres. 'The inferior optic lobes, “lobi inferiores,” very 
small, not larger than a pin’s head; in front of them rests the 
pituitary body. No optic nerve was found. Branchio-gastric 
and fifth pairs of nerves of the usual size. 
Internally the nostrils consist of an ovoidal cavity, , inch in 
longest diameter; olfactory membrane arranged in seven folds or 
digitations of unequal length, and radiating from a point in the 
anterior portion of the cavity. At the anterior extremity of this 
cavity is a small orifice opening into a blind sac or canal, which 
passes at first directly backwards and then ascends upon the up- 
