ACIPENSER

(Lat aclpenser, a zturgcon.) The name of a Linnffian <;enus of the amphibia nantes, cl terised by solitary, lateral, linear d-openings; the mouth, situated beneath the head, retrac..le and edentulous; ers under the snout, in front of die mouth/ The sli: (acipenser slurio.) and most of the other amphibia nantes of LinnaMis, from the order chrondropterygii, or cartilaginous fishes of Cuvier. The genu.-acipenser is sebarateu by A^a iz from the other cartilaginous fishes. It forms a link between the o eous and cartilaginous fishes, having its gills protected by an operculum, and only a or gill-opening, on each side of the respiratory currents: but at the same time having no rays to the bn membrane, and having the whole of its true internal ton in a cartilaginous slate. By Cuvier, then-fore, the genus acipenser is placed in the cartilaginous division of fishes, hut separated from the rays, sharks, and lampreys, which have five or more gill-openings on each side, to form, along with the genera spatular i a and chimera, the order eleuthero-branch i at a, or those which have the branchiae free at their outer circumference. In the system of Aga i?, the sturgeons are joined with the sauroid i; siluri, polypterus, and some other genera, to form the order Ganoides. (.See that word.) Audit is worthy of observation,that the polypterus (a ganoid fish ol the Nile) has a spiral valve in the intestine like that of the SlU There are several distinct species of acipenser in the Danube, and other ^reat rivers of Europe: Ihe eimen ever caught in Great Britain is, probably, thai. is recorded by Pennant as having been taken in Ihe Esk, and which weighed four hundred and sixty poui In England. Ihe sturgeon is considered a roj its use is exclusively as an article of luxury foi its flesh, like that of most cartilaginous fishes, lhan is usual among o eous tishes, and having little peculiar flavour of ils own. affords ample scope for the skill ol the cook in imparting to ii an extrinsic zest. In the northern parts of Europe this fish is much more numerous than in the British rivers, and extensive tis he ries are established for its capture. The best isingla is manufactured from the sound, or air bladder; and ea is prepared from the roe of the female. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MONEY, in Law, paid <ic [s. 24]