82 INTRODUCTION 



one or more handles. Those placed nearest the 

 head, are called abdominal — for fishes have no neck 

 or chest, properly so called. They have the sharp 

 process pointing obliquely upwards from the body 

 of the vertebra, and, in general, two projecting 

 outwards from its sides. 



Connected with the upper spinous process, of 

 more or fewer of the abdominal vertebree, and on 

 the same line with it, is a short bone, called the 

 interspinous bone ; and connected, again, with this 

 last, is another longer bone, still in the same line, 

 and it is this which supports the dorsal fin. On 

 the other hand, the two transverse processes have 

 each connected with them a long curved bone, 

 encircling a great part of the bulk of the body like 

 a half hoop, and commonly mistaken for the ribs 

 of the animal ; but, if they are to be so called, they 

 should at least be distinguished by the name of 

 abdominal ribs; for the true, or thoracic ribs, or 

 those corresponding to the ribs of man and the 

 higher classes of animals, are placed very far for- 

 wards, and almost under the lower jaw of fishes, 

 and have no direct connexion w^th the spine. 

 These reputed ribs are wanting in most of the rays, 

 and in the cartilaginous fishes in general, as well as 

 in the Diodons, Tetrodons^ and several of the osseous 

 fishes ; but they are a well-kno-vvn source of annoy- 

 ance to those eating the herring, and numerous 

 other fishes commonly brought to table. The rest 

 of the vertebras of the spine, or those situated 

 nearest the tail, are called, from this circumstance, 



