190 Apodal Fishes of Bengal. 



The manner in which this function is performed in the 

 genus Pneumabranchus, is as follows: the head is raised to 

 the surface, and the muzzle projected sufficiently to emerge 

 the apex of the jaws, slightly open at the end. The dilata- 

 tion of the branchial sack on either side (which is provided 

 with proper muscular apparatus for the purpose) then takes 

 place, and this organ distended with air, the animal descends ; 

 and after the lapse of some moments, the air gradually allow- 

 ed to escape by the mouth, ascends in globules to the 

 surface of the water. The animal then ascending again to 

 repeat the same operation at certain intervals. 



The only genus of this tribe hitherto known, is Synbranchus, 

 Bl. or what Lacepede named Unibranchapertura. 



But although that genus is well characterised in the 

 Regne Animal, the adjoining forms peculiar to the East re- 

 quired to be properly known and understood, before the 

 peculiar characters of Synbranchus could be well appre- 

 ciated. In this way we can account for the peculiarities of 

 that genus not being more prominently brought forward 

 by preceding writers, particularly the illustrious Cuvier. 

 When ever we are led upon any occasion a little farther 

 than that great man has gone, we should ascribe it no less 

 to the assistance we derive from the profound observations 

 he has left for our guidance in the study of Fishes, than to 

 the accidental circumstance of being more favourably plac- 

 ed with regard to some peculiar object of investigation. 



Even with regard to Synbranchus ■, the few words express- 

 ed in the Regne Animal, regarding the stomach and intes- 

 tines of that genus, apply not only to it, but equally so to 

 the other genera here described, although they were un- 

 known to the illustrious author. 



I have been induced to make these remarks, lest the propo- 

 sal of any changes in the classification of these animals, 

 emanating from so obscure a quarter, might appear as either 

 self-sufficient on my part, or to arise from an improper dis- 



