20 Animals. 



dergo a metamorphosis, take wing, quit 

 their natural element, and become inhabit- 

 ants of the air. 



IV. Fishes. Fishes are a class of crea- 

 tures that appear, both in structure and 

 sagacity quite inferior to other animals ; 

 though capable of enduring famine an 

 amazing length of time, they appear 

 most voracious creatures ; a ceaseless 

 desire for food seems the ruling impulse 

 of their actions ; and their life one con- 

 tinued scene of violence or evasion. 



Most fishes present the same external 

 form ; sharp at both ends, and bulky in 

 the middle ; which shape is most conve- 

 nient for their passage through the wa- 

 tery element. Mankind have imitated 

 this form, in the construction of their 

 marine vessels ; but the progress of such 

 machines is far inferior to that of fishes ; 

 any of which, will, with ease, outstrip a 

 ship in full sail ; play around it, loiter 

 behind, and overtake it. 



The instruments of motion in these 

 animals are the fins ; of which the gener- 

 al complement is two pair, and three sin* 

 gle fins ; though some fish possess more, 

 and many less than this number. The 



