28 Genres des Poissons 



defining the genera and characterizing the species. On this account 

 we take especial pleasure in presenting the following pajier by our 

 esteemed corresponding member, Professor Poey, of Havana, on the 

 great group which stands at the head of the Order of Fishes, the 

 perplexing characters of which he has sought to more clearly define 

 and describe. Well known as a careful observer and able anatomist, 

 he is also a diligent and indefatigable collector of specimens and of 

 information, qualities rarely found combined in the older naturalists. 

 He has sought to become thoroughly acquainted with the entire 

 Fauna of the tropical island which he inhabits, and his studies have 

 thus a peculiar and abiding value. Examining, as in the case before 

 us, specimens of every age and at all seasons, he learns their habits 

 and native characteristics, so as to surely fix the species and mark 

 the genus. His generic descriptions in the following paper are so 

 thorough, that they can hardly be disputed or misunderstood. His 

 bibliogra})hical knowledge withal is most extensive, enabling him to 

 present the history of each genus and criticise the labors of his pre- 

 decessors. 



The paper is published as it was received, for were a translation of 

 it to be attempted, the sense might be slightly altered, and the true 

 meaning of the autho)- be lost. J. C. B.] 



CLASSIS PISCIUM. 



Les Poissons sont des aniniaux vertobres ovipares, a circula- 

 tion double et complete, a respiration bronchiale, et par con- 

 sequent incomplete, ce qui fait baisser la temperature du sang, 

 Le coeur est veineux, a deux cavites, separe du sinus aortique. 



La plupart out le corps convert d'^cailles. 



La locomotion s'effectue par le moyen des nageoires, prin- 

 cipalement par la caudale. Les nageoires pectorales repr^sen- 

 tent les membres tlioraciques, et les ventrales les abdominaux. 

 Oes nageoires sont sontenues par des rayons, tantot epinenx^ 

 tantot mous, articules, et le plus souvent branclius. 



Les dents sont implantees sur les machoires. II pent y en 

 avoir encore au vomer, aux palatins, aux pterygoid iens in- 

 ternes, sur la langue et sur les os pharyngiens ; les arcs 

 branchiaux sont hdrisses de tubercules epineux. 



