INTRODUCTION. 



" Quicquid nascatur in parte naturae nlla, et in mari 

 esse ; prieterque multa quae nusquam alibi." — Pliny. 



" Immensa et summe admirabilis Dei potentia atque 

 solertia in rebus ccelestibus, iisque quae in sere et terra 

 fiunt, maxime vero in mari, in quo tarn variee et stupendaa 

 rerum formee conspiciuntur ut quaerendi et contemplandi 

 nuUus unquam futurus sit finis." — Rondelet. 



" The sounds and seas, each creek and bay, 



With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 



Of fish that with their fins, and shining scales, 



Glide under the green wave, in sculls that oft 



Bank the mid sea: part single, or with mate, 



Graze the sea-weed their pasture, and through groves 



Of coral stray ; or, sporting with quick glance, 



Show to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold." 



MlLTOX. 



In the Introduction to the Volumes of the Na- 

 turalist's Library dedicated to the History of 

 British Fishes, we purpose to submit to the atten- 

 tion of our readers such novelties concerning the 

 structure, habits, and economic use of this impor- 

 tant Class, as, within a recent period, have been 



