ACANTHOPTERYGII. 213 



Tlie remaining g-enera are Acanthurus, (Surgeons) Prionurus, Naaeus, 

 AxinuruSy and Priodon. 



FAMILY X. 



This family is distinguished by 



LABYRINTHIFORM PHARYNGEALS. 



By this we mean, that part of the superior pharyngeals of these fishes 

 are divided into small irregular lamellae, more or less numerous, 

 intercepting cells containing water, which thus flows upon and hu- 

 mects the branchiae, while the animal is removed from its proper 

 element. By this it is enabled to quit the rivulet or pool, which 

 constitutes its usual abode, and crawl to a considerable distance 

 from it, a singular faculty, not unknown to the ancients, and which 

 induces the people of India to believe that they fall from heaven. 

 The two most remarkable genera of this family are the following. 



Anabas, Cuv. 



It is in this genus that we find the greatest degree of complication in these 

 labyrinths; the third pharyngeals, however, have teeth arranged like paving 

 stones, and there are others behind the cranium. Theii-body is round and 

 covered with strong scales, their head broad, muzzle short and obtuse, and 

 mouth small; the lateral line is interrupted at its posterior third. 



An. testudineus, Cuv., called the Pa7iein or Tree-Climber; highly celebrat- 

 ed, because it not only leaves the water, but, according to Daldorf, even 

 cUmbs up the shrubs on its banks; this latter assertion, however, is denied. 

 Found throughout all India, and the only species known. The 



Ophicephaltjs, B1. 



Resembles the preceding genus in most of its characters, and particularly 

 in the cellular conformation of the pharyngeals, which are adapted to retain 

 water. These fishes also creep to a considerable distance from their liquid 

 abodes, but what particularly distinguishes, and even separates, them from 

 all other Acanthopterygii, is the absence of spines in the fins, the first ray 

 of their ventrals at most excepted, and even that, though simple, is not 

 sharp and stiff. The jugglers of India exhibit this fish out of water, and 

 even the children amuse themselves by forcing it to crawl upon the ground. 

 In the markets of China the larger species are cut up alive for distribution. 

 They may be divided by the number of their dorsal rays. 



