The World of Fishes 



teristics of the principal ''Orders" of Fishes, 

 putting on one side the immense array of *' sub- 

 orders" and ''varieties," would speedily outrun 

 the limits of these pages. Besides, such a list 

 would be to the ordinary reader unreadable. 

 Natural History savants have not troubled them- 

 selves to curtail syllables in titles so used. 



On land we have beasts and birds, which serve 

 as food for man ; beasts and birds of prey ; beasts 

 and birds that are simply harmless, attractive, 

 pretty, or interesting. 



In the Ocean also we find fishes good for food ; 

 fishes of prey; fishes which may be classed as 

 merely pretty, or curious, or remarkable. 



This rough classification will do well enough 

 for our present purpose. Many fishes belong of 

 course to more than one of the divisions. That 

 which is good for food may be also curious. That 

 which acts as an ocean "beast of prey " may be 

 also beautiful. 



The speed with which fishes can dart along 

 is often very great. Both fins and tails are used 

 as a means of advance ; and the smooth scale- 

 clothed skin glides with the least possible friction 

 through the water. No better form than the 

 "boat-shaped" oudine could be devised for rapid 

 progress in a heavy element. 



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