VI PREFACE. 



But bcyoud tliis it lias been deemed of special importance 

 to give^ witli as mucli precision as possible^ an account of tlie 

 cliaracteristic liabits of eacli species; a large portion of tlie 

 particulars of wliicli is derived from attentive observation 

 under favourable circumstances tlirougb a considerable extent 

 of time; coupled also witb frequent communications from 

 practical fisbermeu of great intelligence; wbo bave always 

 been ready to acknowledge small obligations by a free com- 

 munication of facts in their experience. 



And in addition to tbese matters an object bas been kept 

 in vieWj wbicb tlio Autbor bas deemed of bigb importance, 

 altbougb it bas not usually found a place in works on Natural 

 History; and it is to bim a matter of regret tbat it bas not 

 been worked out to sucb extent as tbe subject demands. Ho 

 bas laboured, bowever, by repeated examination of tbe organs 

 and internal structure of tbe several species and orders or 

 classes of fisbes to trace tbe connection of their several parts 

 with their instincts and modes of life; and in all these 

 researches, of which particulars are scattered through the 

 work, he has been able to discern such a connection and 

 reciprocal dependance as to establish the conviction of a 

 presiding mind that has formed and set in action the whole; 

 so that the inhabitants of the water are not less furnished 

 than those of the land with the means of existence, and with 

 faculties which enable them to turn what may appear to be 

 unfavourable circumstances to good account. Linngeus inquires 



Quis, nisi vidissit, pisccs liabitare sub undascrcde-ret.P 



And his proper answer is — 



Quam sapienter ea fecisti! 0, Jehovah! 



