FISHES. 221 



may have given origin to the English name ; or it may have 

 been tlerived from tlie French dore'e or jatine dorc'e, having 

 reference to its pecuHar golden colour. 



We might greatly enlarge these notices of traditionary lore, 

 as applicable to fishes, but shall merely mention one other 

 example. The Remora {Echeneis j-emora, Fig. 192) is re- 



Fig. 192.— Remor*. 



markable for an adhesive or sucking disc, which covers the 

 upper ])art of the head, and enables it to adhere to the body 

 of anotlier fish, or to the bottom of a vessel. But so great 

 were its fabulous powers, that it was said to be able suddenly 

 to arrest a vessel, even in her most rapid course. 



Classivication. — To Cuvier we are indebted for that classi- 

 fication of fishes which is most generally adopted. It is 

 founded upon the nature of the skeleton, and on the structure 

 and position of the fins. 



The following table exhibits Cuvier's arrangement : — 



OSSEOUS FISHES, 



on THOSE ■\VITII THE SKELETON OF HONE. 



I. AcANTiioiTEUYciii, OF fislies with spiny rays in the fins. Exam- 

 ples — Perch, Guniard. This group is not subdivided except into families, 

 genera, and species. 



J/iilncop/eri/f/ii ; or, fishes with flexible fin-rays. This group is divided 

 into the tlirce following orders : — 



II. !Mai,a(oiterygii Ahijominai.es, with the ventral fins beneath the 

 abdomen. Examples — Pike, Salmon, Herring. 



III. JIai,. Siis- isracuiai.es, ventral fins beneath the pectoral. Examples 

 — Cod, Whiting, Ling. 



IV. JIal. ArouES, ventral fins absent Examples — Eel, Conger Eel. 



V. LornoiiKANCiiii, the gills arranged in tufts. Example — Pipe-fish. 



VI. Pt.EcroGNATiii, jaws as if soldered together. Examples— Globe- 

 fish, Trunk-fish. 



CARTILAGINOUS, ' 



OR THOSE WITH THE SKELETON OF CAnTlI.AnE. 



VIL Stikiones Sturgeons. — Branchise pectinated (Comb-shaped), free 



with one large ajjcrture. 



VIII. Pi.AGiosTOMi. — Sharks and Rays. — Branchiie pectinated, fixed; 

 gill apertures distinct and transverse. 



IX. CvcLosTo.Mi. — Lampreys Branchiae purse-shaped, fixed; gill aper- 

 tures distinct and ciicular. 



