BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 



III. CLASS PISCES, OR FISHES— FRESH- WATER 



FISHES 



Introduction. — If Reptiles and Amphibians are difficult 

 to study in their 07vn homes, Fishes are more so, even if 

 the vast array of these creatures inhabiting the mighty 

 deep are left out of account, and attention is merely 

 given to the species occurring in fresh-water. It is 

 quite true that, thanks to the opportunity of studying 

 their forms and habits at various Biological Stations, or 

 in Zoological Collections, a good deal of information 

 may be obtained. The angler, too, is able to impart a 

 certain amount of useful information, also the icthyolo- 

 gist (as the student of fishes is called) builds up for us a 

 great deal of data by examining, comparing, and report- 

 ing upon specimens in museums. He is able, too, to 

 note their habits in their own haunts, but with certain 

 limitations. 



The great importance of fishes in the food-supply 



of the world need only be mentioned in passing, and 



whilst it is not within our province to treat of marine 



representatives of the finny tribe, it should be noted 



that several species of fresh-water fishes are quite suitable 

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