17^ 



ORDER III. MALACOPTERYGII SUB-BRACHIATI. 



This is the third great Order of Osseous Fishes, 

 according to Baron Cuvier's arrangement, by which 

 we have been guided throughout. It forms the 

 second division of the soft-rayed fishes, and is cha- 

 racterised by having the attachment of the ventral 

 fins beneath the pectorals, an arrangement which 

 has suggested the appellation of sub-brachial. The 

 pelvis is directly suspended to the bones of the 

 shoulder. Considered in relation to Britain, it con- 

 tains four families, two of which, the Gadidse, or 

 Cod family, and the Pleuronectidte, or family of the 

 Flat-fish, are very rich in species, and most of these 

 species are of great value to man as articles of food, 

 more so perhaps than any other tribe of fishes. The 

 flesh is white, firm, easily digested, and nutritious, 

 and in many cases it preserves most of its good 

 qualities when dried. All these fishes are marine 

 (with a single exception), the influence of fresh 

 water being in no way necessary to any function in 

 their economy. Their powers of reproduction are 

 enonuous, and notwithstanding the myriads that 

 are captured, there is every likelihood that the sup- 

 ply will always continue to be plentiful. 



