260 A HISTORY OF 



Such are the peculiar marks of the cartilaginous class of fishes, ot 

 which there are many kinds. To give a distinct description of every 

 fish is as little my intention, as perhaps it is the wish of the reader ; 

 but the peculiarities of each kind deserve notice, and the most "strik- 

 ing of these it would be unpardonable to omit. 



Cartilaginous fish may be divided, first, into those of the shark 

 kind, with a body growing less towards the tail, a rough skin, with 

 the mouth placed far beneath the end of the nose, five apertures on 

 the sides of the neck for breathing, and the upper part of the tail 

 longer than the lower. This class chiefly comprehends the Great 

 White Shark, the Balance Fish, the Hound Fish, the Monk Fish, 

 the Dog Fish, the Basking Shark, the Zygaena, the Tope, the Cat 

 Fish, the Blue Shark, the Sea Fox, the Smooth Hound Fish, and the 

 Porbeagle. These are all of the same nature, and differ more in size, 

 than in figure or conformation. 



The next division is that of the flat fish ; and these, their broad, 

 flat, thin shape is sufficiently capable of distinguishing from all others 

 of this kind. They may be easily distinguished also from spinous flat 

 fish, by the holes through which they breathe, which are uncovered 

 by a bone ; and which, in this kind, are five on each side. In this 

 tribe we may place the Torpedo, the Skate, the Sharp-nosed Ray, the 

 Rough Ray, the Thornback, and the Fire Flare. 



The third division is that of the slender snake-shaped kind ; such 

 as the Lamprey, the Pride, and the Pipe Fish. 



The fourth division is of the Sturgeon and its variety, the Ising 

 glass Fish. 



The last division may comprise fish of different figures and natures, 

 that do not rank under the former divisions. These are the Sun 

 Fish, the Tetrodon, the Lump Fish, the Sea Snail, the Chimaera, 

 and the Fishing Frog. Each of these has somewhat peculiar in it? 

 powers or its form, that deserves to be remarked. The description 

 of the figures of these at least may compensate for our general igno 

 ranee of the rest of their history. 



CHAPTER II. 



OP CARTILAGINOUS FISHES OF THE SHARK KIND. 



OF all the inhabitants of the deep, those of the shark kind are tin 

 tiercest and the most voracious. The smallest of this tribe is not les. 

 dreaded by greater fish, than many that to appearance seem mote 

 powerfu.; nor do any of them seem fearful of attacking animals tar 

 above their size : but the Great White Shark, which is the largest ol 

 the kind, joins to the most amazing rapidity, the strongest appetites for 

 mischief: as he approaches nearly in size to the whale, he far sur- 

 passes him in strength and celerity in the formidable arrangement of 

 his teeth, and his insatiable desire of plunder 



