6 PISCES. 



head this lymphatic passes between the two pectoral 

 fins, and having got above them, receives their 

 lymphatics : it then goes under the juncture of the 

 two bones which form the thorax, where it opens 

 into a net-work of very large lymphatics which lie 

 close to the pericardium, and almost surrounds the 

 heart : this net-work, besides that part of it behind 

 the heart, has a large lymphatic on each side, which 

 receives others from the kidney, runs upon the bone 

 of the thorax backwards, and when it has got as far 

 as the middle of that bone, sends off a large branch 

 from its inside to join the thoracic duct : after de- 

 taching this branch it is joined by the lymphatics 

 of the thoracic fins, and soon after by a lymphatic 

 which runs upon the side of the fish : it is formed of 

 branches, which give it a beautiful penniform ap^ 

 pearance. Besides these branches, there is another 

 set lying deeper, which accompanies the ribs : after 

 the large lymphatic has been joined by the above^ 

 mentioned vessels, it receives others from the gills, 

 orbit, nose, and mouth: a little below the orbit 

 another net-work appears, consisting in part of the 

 vessels above described, and of the thoracic duct : 

 this net-work is very complete, some of its vessels 

 lying on each side the muscles of the gills, and from 

 its internal part a trunk is sent out which terminates 

 in the jugular vein, 



The lacteals run on each side the mesenteric 

 arteries^ anastomosing frequently across those vessels • 

 the receptacle into which they enter is very large 

 in proportion to them, and consists at its lower part 

 <of two branches, one of which lies between the 



