MALACOPTERI OR SOFT-FIN NED FISHES. 



277 



posed of a strong and very sharp spine, which is so ar- 

 ticulated that the fish can bring it close to the body or 

 immovably extend it, thus making it a dangerous weapon. 

 Some species of the Siluroids, as the Silurus (Fig. 3i2) 

 of Central Europe, attain the weight of two or three 

 hundred pounds. 



In the order of Malacopteri conies the whole array of 

 the Carp, Dace, Shiners, or Cyprinidse, and the Suckers or 

 Cacostomidse, so abundant in the fresh waters. 



Quite in contrast to the Carp and the other soft-finned 

 fishes just noticed, are the various members of the group 

 known under the name of Pike and Pickerel or Esocidse. 



FIG. 344. ' 



Pickerel, Esox reticulatus, Le Sxieur. 



These have the body long, the mouth very large, and the 

 single dorsal placed very far behind. 



Jfis. 345. 



Salmon, Salmo salar, Linnaeus. 



But none of the Malacopters are more interesting than 



