NATURAL HISTORY. 339 



" And o'er the ocean's crystal mirror, 

 Taught the unnumber'd scaly throng 

 To trace their liquid path along." MOORE. 



upon soft rays. The word is derived from a, "without," and 

 acantha, a " spine," or " thorn." 



1089. These fishes also present a difference in the structure of the air-bladder, 

 which, instead of communicating with the throat by a duct, as is the case in the 

 physostomata, is here more completely closed, and there is no connection between 

 the anterior part of the bladder and the throat. 



1090. Why have the sand-eel and the sand-launce a projecting 



lower jaw ? 



Because it is the habit of these fishes to bury themselves in the 

 sand, and by the sharpness and muscular power of the jaw, and the 

 slenderness of their bodies, they are able to bury themselves in wet 

 sand five or six inches deep with great rapidity. 



1091. Why is the cod found in great abundance upon the 

 coast of Newfoundland ? 



Because in that region there exist vast submarine mountains 

 upon which crustaceous and molluscous animals are abundant. 

 These constitute the natural food of tJte cod. 



1092. Why does the skin of a sole act as a clearer for coffee ? 



Because it contains a large proportion of albumen, which, being 

 driven from the skin by the action of hot water, afterwards 

 coagulates, and fixes and precipitates the floating grains of 

 coffee. 



1093. Why are soles and other flat fish destitute of air 

 bladders f 



Because, being bottom fish, and seldom elevating their range in 

 the water, they do not require an apparatus, the purpose of which 

 is to vary the specific gravity of the moving body. 



1094. Why do dead fishes usually float ? 



It appears to be a creative design that when these inhabitants of 



