1 72 OUTLINES, OF ICHTHYOLOGY. 



other cases they are of different patterns. The 

 most usual form in carnivorous fish is that of a 

 slender elongated cone, slightly curved inwards 

 to assist in holding a struggling prey. In her- 

 bivorous fish the form is commonly that, of a 

 short rounded tubercle with a flat crown, adapted 

 for crushing. Sometimes the teeth are so small 

 and numerous, more especially in insect-eaters, as 

 to have the appearance of the hairs of a brush. 

 Occasionally they are thin and flat, with a cutting 

 edge. 



By these characteristics the habits and food of 

 fish may usually be as readily discovered as those 

 of graminivorous and carnivorous animals by the 

 same means. 



The " throat teeth" in the Carp, Tench, Roach, 

 and Barbel are remarkably large, and would pro- 

 bably surprise most fishermen who have never 

 examined them. 



The teeth are named according to the bone upon 

 which they are placed, as inter-maxillary teeth, 

 maxillary ', vomerine, palatine, &c. The engraving 

 exhibits a front view of the mouth in the common 

 Trout (Salmo fario), which is chosen as displaying 

 the most complete series of teeth amongst the 

 Salmon family. 



