BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
III. CLASS PISCES, OR FISHES—FRESH-WATER 
FISHES 
Introduction.—If Reptiles and Amphibians are difficult 
to study in their own homes, Fishes are more so, even if 
the vast array of these creatures inhabiting the mighty 
deep are left out of account, and attention is merely 
given to the species occurring in fresh-water. It is 
quite true that, thanks to the opportunity of studying 
their forms and habits at various Biological Stations, or 
in Zoological Collections, a good deal of information 
may be obtained. ‘The angler, too, is able to impart a 
certain amount of useful information, also the icthyolo- 
gist (as the student of fishes is called) builds up for us a 
great deal of data by examining, comparing, and report- 
ing upon specimens in museums. He is able, too, to 
note their habits in their own haunts, but with certain 
limitations. 
The great importance of fishes in the food-supply 
of the world need only be mentioned in passing, and 
whilst it is not within our province to treat of marine 
representatives of the finny tribe, it should be noted 
that several species of fresh-water fishes are quite suitable 
52 
