LECTURE VIII. 79 



neath, and is much less strikingly tuberculated 

 than the Common Sturgeon ; being sometimes 

 found nearly smooth. It is from the sound or 

 air-bladder of this species of Sturgeon that the 

 substance called Isinglass is prepared. 



The smallest species of Sturgeon yet known 

 is called the Sterlet, which seldom exceeds the 

 length of three feet. It is found in the Caspian 

 sea, and in some of the Russian rivers, and is 

 highly celebrated for the delicacy of its flesh. It 

 is recorded of Prince Potemkin of Russia, that 

 in seasons when the Sterlet was unusually scarce 

 he has been known to giv ; e the sum of three hun- 

 dred rubles for a tureen of Sterlet soup. The 

 Caviar prepared from the roe of the Sterlet is 

 a dainty still more expensive, and is said to be 

 almost exclusively confined to the use of Russian 

 Royalty. 



I shall finish with a very hasty survey of two 

 or three other remarkable genera of the Carti- 

 laginous tribe. Among these the genus Lophiys 

 claims a place. It has a depressed head, nu- 

 merous, sharp teeth, and pectoral fins furnished 

 with a kind of joint resembling an elbow. The 

 only European species is the L. Piscatorius, or 



