Some have iwo, or three ; others have a greater rmm 

 ber. The head of fishes,, like that of reptiles, is joined 

 close to the body. The mouth, vdiich is commonly 

 furnished with two or more rows of teeth, is sometimes 

 placed OIL. the back, as are the eyes. The hnigs^. which 

 are formed of several blades, or vascular leaves, are 

 eften placed at the surface of the body. They are 

 known by the name of gills. But, let us avoid ana- 

 tomical descriptions, which would cany us too far*. 

 We shall now confine ourselves to some of the principal: 

 varieties, and to the sources or those relations that are: 

 more striking. 



21. I see the flying-fish dart itself into the air from 

 the bottom of the water, having fins resembling the 

 wings of a bat Herein it has an affinity to birds^ But 

 I see a great animal advancing towards the sea-shore, 

 having a head and fore-part like a lion, and the hind - 

 part resembling that of a fish. It has- no scales ; and is 

 borne on two paws, that have toes with fins to them. 

 Tis called the sea-lion. He is followed by the sea- calf] 

 and the hippopotamus, or sea-horse, and by ali, in ge- 

 neral, of the cetaceous kind. The crocodile and tortoise 

 present themselves to my view in their turn * and I now 

 find myself among quadrupeds; Without presuming 

 to account for the ways of nature, we will, at present,* 

 place birds between fishes, ami four-footed animals.. 

 Jn this order,, aquatic birds are ranged immediately 

 under the flying-fish. Amphibious birds, or such as 

 Jiye both on land, and in the water, will occupy the 

 scale next in course; and, by this means, open a com- 

 munication between the terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial 

 regions. 



To this new mansion there is added a new decora- 

 tion. To scales succeed feathers, which are closer 

 compacted, and ; more varied: a bill takes place of 

 teeth ; wings and feet are to them instead of fins; lungs 

 formed within, and a different structure, cause the gills 

 Jo disappear: a melodious song follows a profound &! 



3 



