86 INTRODUCTION. 



consumed in our commerce ? Isinglass is made 

 from the swimming bladders ; glue from the coarser 

 refuse of fins, &c. ; artificial pearls from the scales, 

 — and Pennant tells us that a certain French artist 

 used thirty hampers full of the latter for this 

 manufacture in one year. Shagreen from the 

 skins of the cartilaginous fishes, sauces from their 

 roe, &c. may be mentioned as some of the more 

 subordinate purposes to which they are applied. 



In the arrangement of the present volume, we 

 have preferred following the system of Cuvier. 

 Its two leading divisions depend on the compo- 

 sition of the skeleton, with, however, some changes 

 from any former arrangement. The next subor- 

 dinate separation depends on the structure of the 

 fin's rays ; but the following short table will give 

 an idea better than any exposition of our own. 



POISSONS. 

 Osseux. 

 A, hranchies en peignes, ou en lames. 

 A machoire svperieure lihre. 



ACANTHROPTE RYGIENS. 



Percoides. 



Polynfemes. 



Mulles. 



Joues cuirasse^s. 



Scienoides. 



Sparo'ides. 



