PISCES. 3 



interstices of the bronchi and the flap which covers 

 them. The compression of the water on the bronchi 

 is of considerable use to the creature, as will after-* 

 wards appear. 



The oesophagus or gullet is very short, and scarce 

 to be distinguished from the stomach, since the 

 food is retained almost equally in both. The sto* 

 mach is of an oblong figure, and from the prey con- 

 tained in it, which commonly preserves its natural 

 form, though reduced to a gelatinous softness, it 

 may be concluded that digestion is performed in it 

 entirely by the dissolvent power of some peculiar 

 menstruum, and not by any trituration. 



The intestines are, in general, very short, making 

 only three turns, the last of which terminates in a 

 common outlet or vent, placed towards the middle 

 of the lower part of the body. The appendicular 

 or secondary intestines (coeca) are in these animals 

 extremely numerous, composing a large groupe of 

 worm-like processes, all ultimately terminating in 

 two larger canals opening into the first intestine, 

 into which they discharge their peculiar fluid. 



The liver in Fishes is remarkably large, and com- 

 monly lies almost wholly on the left side : it con- 

 tains a great proportion of oil or fat, 



The spleen is placed near the back-bone, and at 

 a place where it is subject to an alternate constric- 

 tion and dilatation from the pressure of the air-bag 

 Which is situated in its neighbourhood. 



The ova, in the females, are disposed into two 

 large oblong bodies, .one oju eacjj sijte q£ the abdo* 



