LIFE OF MOSES HENRY PERLEY. 39 



That he included a few forms, now recognized as the young, or 

 seasonal, or other stages in the life of another species, argues 

 nothing. The general history of ichthyology in America and 

 elsewhere scarcely contains the name of an author, however 

 eminent, whose determinations have not, in many cases, proved 

 incorrect; and it bears additional testimony to our author's 

 scientific acumen that he recognized the minute distinctions on 

 which these so-called species of Cuvier. Valenciennes. Storer. and 

 DeKay were founded; for they were a!l regarded at that time as 

 specific forms. Moreover, some of these he professes not to have 

 Seen, liut admitted to his list on Ifr. Storer's authority. Bearing 

 this in mind, it may be said tliat after fifty years Perley's deter- 

 minations are essentially unchallenged. He established no new 

 species, it is true, for such an opportunity does not fall to everv 

 man, and Perley was not a discij)le of the more modern school of 

 species-manufacturers. who are flooding the fields of zoology with 

 vi-^ionary genera and species; but, in identifying specific or tran- 

 sitit)nal forms, already named by the above-mentioned authors, 

 lie exhibits an accurate acquaintance with the details of anat- 

 omy. It is therefore with more than ordinary pride the student 

 turns to the labours of this pioneer ichthyologist, and follows 

 the footi)vints of the man. the scholar, and naturalist who laid the 

 foundation of the science in New Brunswick. 



'■Perley's list contains the names of sixty-two so-called species; 

 but since his time the development of cyprinids has received 

 more attention, and the 'Shining Dace." Leu ciscus argenteus Storer, 

 has been shown to be the young of the 'River Chub,' Semotilus 

 hullaris Rafinesque. Again, the 'Salmon Trout' or 'White Sea- 

 irout,' .S'. trutta, of his catalogue, is undoubtedly the sea-run or 

 anadromous representative of the common Speckled Trout, 

 S. fontin'dis Mitchell. Under the name of 'Britt.' Clupe'i minimn, 

 Storer, he includes, on the latter's authority, a small herring, 

 which is now regarded as the young of the two ordinary herrings 

 of our coast. The common codfish has, perhaps, the widest 

 range of any. and must therefore be expected to exhibit much 

 variation in size and coloration. One of these varieties is known 



