84 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



I request that I may be instructed in the method of 

 the classification and determination of fishes, that a 

 similar misfortune shall not happen to me again." 



" "With pleasure," said Leon. " Fishes are divided 

 into two great classes, the bony fishes, and the carti- 

 laginous fishes." 



" So that in order to recognise them one must first 



SHABP-NOSED BAY (Raja oxyrhyndtHs, Lin.). 



dissect them ? Not a convenient method at all. How- 

 ever, let us continue." 



"The cartilaginous fishes are themselves divided 

 into three orders: 



" 1. The sturgeons. 



" 2. The Cyclostomi, or suckers, in which the mouth 

 is suctorial. Type, the lamprey. 



" 3. The selachian fishes (rays, sharks, sea-hounds): 

 a family essentially voracious, and great feeders." 



