5U 
ACCOUNT OF SOME FISHES 
length of the canal was found to vary considerably in dif>. 
ferent individuals. 
The live?^ is small, obtusely triangular, without lobes^ 
and lies over the oesophagus, and behind the caeca, and 
convolutions of the first intestine. The cystic duct has re- 
markably thick coats, and terminates in the first intestine, 
about half an inch below the stomach. 
The ai? Madder is large, extends the whole length of the 
abdomen, and sends a pretty wide tube into the upper part 
of the stomach. 
The kidneys lie along the spine, the whole length of the 
air-bladder. 
The dorsal fin, placed in the middle of the body, is sub- 
qtiadrangular, diminishing in height as it proceeds back- 
wards. It contains twelve rays, the two first nearly simple, 
the posterior ones becoming gradually more forked ; two 
small rays support the base of the first one. The adipose 
fin is acinaciform, or somewhat falcate in shape, with a 
broad attachment opposite the anal fin. The pectorals 
have sixteen rays, more or less forked, the interior ones 
becoming gradually shorter, v/hich gives the fins a some- 
iwhat pointed acinaciform appearance. The ventrals, placed 
opposite the dorsal, are fan-shaped, and have eleven rays, 
all much forked. The outer ray is supported by a short one. 
The anal fin has twelve rays, is subquadrangular, higher 
anteriorly, and leaves a portion of naked tail behind it, 
equal to the length of its own insertion. 
The caudal fin is crescentic : a quadrangular portion at 
its base is covered with scales. B. 8, P. 16,^ V. 11, A. 12, 
D. 12, C. 18 f rays. This fish weighs in general about 
3 lb,, but those of 8 lb. are not uncommon, and they 
have been known to reach even 20 lb. When very fat, its 
shape is somewhat distorted, as it acquires a hump imme- 
diately behind the head. The very large fish increase 
