FISHES- 



chap. i. 



OF FISHES IN GENERAL. 



THOUGH the ocean is allowed to be the grand re- 

 ceptacle of Fishes, still a great variety are to be found 

 both in rivers and streams ; and many authors give it 

 as a decided opinion, that the whole species were na- 

 turally produced from the sea. 



Though the wants of mankind and the curiosity of 

 individuals have discovered great variety in this prolific 

 race *, yet their pursuits, migrations, antipathies, and 

 pleasures, are concealed by that element in which they 

 reside. 



Most fishes offer the same external appearance, en- 

 larging in the middle, and tapering towards the ends ; 

 and this form we endeavour to imitate in the construc- 

 tion of those vessels which sail upon the sea. Yet the 

 progress of a machine moved forward by human con- 

 trivance is not equal to that which Native produces in 

 a fish ; for they can easily outstrip the swiftest sailer 

 that ever ploughed the turbulent main. 



The fins are the chief instruments in a fish's motion, 

 which in some are more numerous than in the rest ; for 

 one that is completely fitted for sailing is furnished 

 with three single ones, and two complete pair, and, 

 thus equipped, it migrates with the utmost rapidity, 

 and, in the course of a season, will traverse three thou- 



* Linnajus asserts, that there are upwards of four huudrcd different 

 kinds. 



