OBSERVATIONS ON THE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL OF MYSTUS GULIO (HAM.) (SILURIFORMES : BAGRIDAE)

The mucopolysaccharides of mucous secreting cells and gastric glands present in the alimentary canal of M gulio have been investigated. Different types of mucous secreting cells were obser ved in the entire digestive tract ranging from a mixture of both neutral and carboxylated mucins in oesophagus and striated border of stomach to the highly acidic carboxylated mucins in the mucous cells of the intestine Versatility of the oesophagus is seen in havirg club cells consisting of proteins and phospholipids The nature of mucous secretions in the different parts of the alimentary tract are seen to be associated with the omnivorous nature of feeding of the fish.