252 VERTEBRATA: PISCES OR FISHES. 







Some kinds, as the Breams (Fig. 333), Sticklebacks, etc., 

 prepare a nest for their eggs, and defend them with great 



FIG. 293. 



Stickleback. 



spirit ; but most abandon them as soon as laid. With few 

 exceptions, Fishes have no care of their young, but devour 

 them as readily as they do any other food. 



The eggs of Pipe-fishes (Syngnathus) are received into a sort of 

 sack or pouch, under the tail of the male, and thus carried about until 

 they are hatched. 



The eggs of some kinds of South American fishes adhere to the 

 abdomen after they are laid; and the eggs of others are carried in a 

 fold of the lipg. Some kinds of South American fishes carry their 

 newly-hatched young in their gills. 



Although the lowest class of the Vertebrates, their 

 varied forms, and colors which often rival those of pre- 

 cious stones and burnished gold, the wonderful power and 

 velocity of some, the wholesome food furnished by many, 

 and the exciting sport of their capture, combine to render 

 Fishes subjects of great interest to the casual observer, as 

 well as to the amateur and the professional naturalist. 



The number of species of Fishes is not less than ten 

 thousand ; and their forms and structure are almost end- 

 lessly varied. This explains, in part, the reason why it is 

 so difficult to correctly classify this group, and, in part, 

 why so many different classifications of Fishes have been 

 presented.* 



* Cuvier recognized two great groups and nine Orders, as follow : 



'1. Acanthopterygii, as Perch, Breams, etc. 



2. Malacopterygii abdominales, as Salmon, etc. 

 I BONY FISHES. J 3 ' sub-braehiati, as Cod, etc. 



4. apodes, as Eels. 



5. Lophobrancliil, as Pipe-fishes, Sea-horses, etc. 

 .6. Plectognathi, Puffers, etc. 



