On the Classification of Fishes. 28S 



name of Coregonus. This genus may be studied in tlie Attlliawmeg- 

 or Wbitefish, and what in the neigliborhood of the Lakes are 

 called Herring, though they are not herring at all, but a species 

 of Coregonus. 



The Herring family, CLuno.E, may be studied on the coast in 

 the American Herring, Clupea elongata^ and in the American 

 Alewive, Atosa tyrannus ; in our inland waters it is represented 

 by the genera Hyodon and Amia, of which will be found the Lak& 

 Mooneye, Hyodon clodalis, and the Dog-fish, Amia ocellicatida. 



The family Saurid^ is peculiarly interesting, from the close 

 peaemblance to the Saurian fishes of past geological ages.- It may 

 be studied in the genus Lepidosteus, the Garfishes, which aro 

 found in the great chain of lakes from Lake St. Clair to the Guli 

 of the St. Lawrence. A careful study of its embryology, in the 

 opinion of Agassiz', would throw great light upon the history of 

 the succession of fishes of all geological periods, and indicate the 

 manner in which the- separation of true icthyologieal characters 

 from reptilian was introduced. I know not whether we have more 

 than one species in Oanada, the Lepidoateus Huronensis. 



In the subbrachial division of the soft-rayed fishes are two 

 families largely represented on our coast, the Gadid^ and Plan- 

 iD^. The former can be studied in the American Codfish, 

 Morrhua Americana^ the Haddock, M&rrhua oeglefinis^ the 

 American Hake, Merhieius albidus, &c. ; the latter in the Halibut, 

 ITyppoglossus vnlgaris^ the Flatfishes, Platessa plana, &c. 



The fishes of Canada present to the student of nature a large 

 field of observation as yet but partially traversed, and one which 

 will well repay minute investigation, one where he may hope to 

 find species hitbtirto uiK)bserved and undescribed, and where, by a 

 more careful description and comparison of those already noted, he 

 may contribute much to the progre-ss of science. Let him not 

 tiiink minute examination unnecessary, for it is from the most 

 minute examination of individuals that we derive our frrandes*; 

 generalizations ; it is by making sure each step in our progres^ 

 tliat we gain those heights which enable us to take in at onci- 

 view the grand scheme of creation, and trace its beautiful unity from 

 the days when fishes were the sole representatives of the verte- 

 brates down to the last act of creative power, man. 



