the OpliMum barbatum. 44? 
ments of the apophyfis of the feeond and third vertebrae, of 
which we fpoke before, and which are of a great tenuity. In 
the fame point are fafleneci alio two ligaments each of which 
belongs to an oblong muicle parallel to each other, and fixed 
to the bones of the lowed and pofterior part of the head (fig, 
4 ')" 
All this apparatus is certainly fublervient to the purpofe of 
fwimming, 1 fuppofe, by the cavity of the bladder being made 
larger or lefs by the motions of the cartilagineous bone ; but it is 
very remarkable, that if thefe parts are neceffary to fome animal 
function, they fhould not be found in all the individuals ; for I 
have feen two, of which the vertebrae were not different from 
the vertebrae of the other fpecies : which difference depends, 
perhaps, on the difference of fex. I am inclined to believe fo ; 
but the generation in this fifh feems to be no lefs myfferious 
than that of the eel: I could never diffmguifh a male from a 
female in this fpecies. I do not know if the other fpecies of 
Ophidium have the fame ftrudlure ; I could not perceive it in 
fome fpecimens of Majlacemhelus . willoughby mentions that 
lingular ftru&ure, but without any particular defcription. 
This fifh commonly grows to the fize of eight or nine 
inches. It is to be found in all the Mediterranean Sea, and 
in great plenty in the Adriatic. It is taken by nets in Provence 
and Languedoc, together with many other fmall fpecies, which 
are not efteemed, that is, what they call Ravailla . It is often 
confounded with the Cepola by the fifhermen, though they have 
different names for each fpecies. In Languedoc the Ophidium is 
called Donzelld , and the Cepola , jlamma. In Provence the for- 
mer has the name of Corrudgiao , and the latter that of Rougeolla „ 
But the name of Donzelld , very common on all the coaft of the 
Mediterranean, is alfo applied to the Cepola , and the Spar us juhs 
N n n 2 linn. 
