MEMOIR OF ROXDELET. 37 



state. Occasionally some of these particulars are 

 omitted, either because they are well known or 

 resembling those formerly mentioned, and the above 

 order is sometimes changed on that account." 



Every species described, as we are here informed, 

 is likewise figured, and these figures are well deserv- 

 ing of attention, as they form the most remarkable 

 feature of the work. They are all wood-engravings, 

 amounting to 251 in number. They represent the 

 objects in pretty large dimensions, many of them 

 extending nearly across the folio page. The out- 

 lines of the fishes are in general delineated with 

 great accuracy, so much so that a practised eye has 

 seldom much difficulty in recognising them from 

 their contour alone. The scaling and filling up of 

 the superficies is likewise in many instances well 

 executed, and when that is the case, the representa- 

 tion upon the whole is extremely faithful. It is 

 true that the engraving is somewhat rude, and the 

 details not in every instance to be depended upon ; 

 they are likewise very unequal in merit, and a few 

 are positively bad. But by far the greater number 

 are deserving of high commendation, and would 

 almost bear comparison with modern examples of 

 the art; and we cannot but feel respect for the 

 extreme care and assiduity which the author must 

 have exercised to enable his artists to execute them 

 with such accuracy. 



We shall now lay before the reader, in a some- 

 what abridged form, one or two of our author's 

 notices of fishes, in order to convey a more accurate 



