INDIAN CYPRINID. 231 
24. The Opsarions are Cyprinide that live upon other species of their own 
class ; they are no less remarkable for the peculiarity of their colours than for 
their remarkable structure and habits. Instead of the longitudinal stripes of the 
Perilamps, they are characterised by transverse bands or spots, having a tenden- 
cy to form cross bars on the sides. The analogy between the structure and 
character of the Opsarions and Feline has already been referred to (16). Why 
the former should present similar external markings to those which belong to 
the most destructive types of quadrupeds and birds cannot well be accounted 
for on other principles than those of symbolical representation, by which an 
uniformity of design appears to extend throughout all the infinite forms in 
the animal kingdom. As an ignorant confidence in this or any other doctrine 
would be as absurd as a denial of any thing else with which we are imper- 
fectly acquainted, the only way in which we can evince our respect for those 
who have opened so vast a field for inquiry is, to imitate their industry, 
leaving our views to be slowly formed and matured with the progress of 
inquiry—the only way in which sound or useful results ever were, or can be, 
elicited in scientific pursuits.* 
Green appears to be the characteristic colour of the markings on the 
sides of Opsarions, as blue or purple forms those of the Perilamps; and those 
Opsarions that are not either marked with transverse green bars, or oblong 
spots of the same colour transversely placed with regard to the body, are 
covered with a silvery pigment similar to that of the Leuciscs. 
* Nothing is more easy, or more common because it is easy, than to announce as discoveries the 
startling results of immature inquiry into obscure subjects ; yet when we consider the comparatively 
small amount of real discovery solely attributable to Newton, compared with the extent of his ap- 
plication, and how seldom a Newton appears, we should always receive with suspicion the supposed 
discoveries of persons who from their frequent appearance in public, and the number of their occupa- 
tions, argue a sad deficiency in all those qualities essential to the promotion of any science. 
