INTRODUCTION 



Some possess barbules (as in the Barbel), others have 

 none. Some have jaws aHke on both sides, others are 

 not aHke, the mouth being situate at the end of the 

 snout, or the snout protrudes beyond the mouth. Some 

 have spines (as in the Sticklebacks), many, if not most, 

 are spineless. Some have teeth, others are toothless. 

 Some have horizontal bodies, in others the body is 

 vertical. Some have the upper and lower sections of 

 the tail equal, others have the tail uneven, one lobe 

 being larger than the other. Some have a cyUndrical 

 form, others (as in the Flat Fishes, such as the Plaice), 

 have the body flat and unsymmetrical. 



Of the variety of colour and markings it is not possible 

 to enlarge, nor of the many other features of interest 

 regarding the external diff'erences that exist in even our 

 comparatively few fresh- water species. The examples 

 that have been given will be amply sufficient to reveal the 

 interest to be obtained from a study of these tenants 

 of our lakes, lochs, streams, rivers, brooks, burns, and 

 ponds, and when it is stated that in one item at least 

 they are certainly all alike, namely, in the possession of a 

 vertebne, or skeleton, we must pass on. 



The angler soon discovers that some fishes are shy and 

 retiring, but that others are bold and pugnacious. Some 

 are ravenous feeders, others are very fastidious in regard 

 to their diet, and manner of procuring same. Some are 

 tender-mouthed, others have strong jaws which, although 

 sadly interfered with on occasions, does not seem to 

 unduly upset the finny owner. 



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