244 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



fishes (Ganoids) which were the predominant group in 

 the seas of a long past geological period. They differ 

 much from the fishes mentioned in the preceding pages 

 in many respects, and there are few representatives of 

 the order existing at the present day. The most obvious 

 differences in the Sturgeon are the form of the scales and 

 tail. Instead of having scales overlapping like roofing- 

 slates, the Sturgeon has conical bony plates arranged 

 longitudinally on the body, with bare skin between them, 

 and the tail has the termination of the backbone prolonged 

 into its upper lobe. " Caviare " is made from the roe of 

 the Sturgeon of Northern and of Eastern Europe, and 

 isinglass from its swim-bladder. 



