BRANCH VERTEBRATA. 



CLASS TELEOSTEI (tel e 6s' te I). 



FIG. 161. 



Bn 



The BONY FISHES have the 

 supporting skeleton hardened by 

 the deposition of lime ; the gills, 

 which are usually four on each 

 side, covered, as in the imme- 

 diately previous class, by a bony 

 flap, or operciduin (oper'ka lum). 

 The scales are horny. The fins 

 are supported by rays, and are 

 without fulcra ; and the caudal 

 is always equally lobed (homo- 

 cereal) (ho mo ser'kal). The spe- 

 cies are essentially oviparous. In 

 this class are included nearly all 

 the common fishes. 



The adaptability of different 

 species of this large class to their 

 varied surroundings, presents a 

 patent illustration of the perfec- 

 tion of Nature's workmanship. 

 Some species inhabit the ocean, 

 lakes, ponds, rivers, and even sub- 

 terranean streams and pools in 

 caverns. Myriad in variety, each 



Diagrammatic view of Circulation of speC ieS lias its OWU Swimming 

 Fish. The impure, renous, trunks 



being in black ; the pure, arterial, mechanical features, as dearly 

 blood in outline. A, Auricle. V, 



Ventricle. Ha, Branchial artery. distinguishing aild Compelling its 

 a, Branchial arches. D, Dorsal 



aorta. R. Ketum vein, or post peculiar movements, as the varied 



cava. //, Net-work in liver. ,-> , . /> -, -, i 



configuration of bone and muscle 



in denizens of the land and atmosphere, gives to each 

 species a different gait, or mode of flight. 



