458 



The Evolution of Fishes 



and others abound in the Devonian Age and the early records 

 were lost in the Silurian. From the Crossopterygians or their 

 ancestors or descendants by the specialization of the lung and 

 limbs, the land animals, at first amphibians, after these rep- 

 tiles, birds, and mammals, arose. 



FIG. 273. Moray, Gymnothorax moringa Block Family Murcenidce Tortugas. 



In the sea, by a line still more direct, through the gradual 

 emphasis of fish-like characters, we find developed the Crossop- 

 terygians with archaic limbs and after these the Ganoids with 

 fish-like limbs but otherwise archaic; then the soft-rayed and 

 finally the spiny-rayed bony fishes, herring, mackerel, perch, 



FIG. 274. Amber-fish, Seriola lalandi (Cuv. & Val.). Family Carangidce. 



Wood's Hole. 



which culminate in specialized and often degraded types, as 

 the anglers, globefishes, parrot-fishes, and flying gurnards; 

 and from each of the ultimate lines of descent radiate infinite 

 branches till the sea and rivers are filled, and almost every 

 body of water has fishes fitted to its environment. 



