X INTRODUCTION. 



must be made for the talented translators, Messrs. 

 Diaper and Jones, in their endeavours to give English 

 names to those, to which they had no guide, but the 

 Greek ones, by which they were distinguished. 



Oppian chiefly studied the fishes of the ocean ; but 

 there is little doubt those inhabiting fresh water are 

 analogous in their nature, habits, passions, generation, 

 senses, and enemies ; however, it is not proposed, 

 neither would it be possible, to follow him relative to 

 all the fish he mentions. 



Oppian wrote three poems, each containing five 

 books ; of that on beasts, and hunting, the last book 

 is believed to be totally lost ; and of that on birds and 

 fowling, there is only a Greek paraphrase remaining. 

 This on fishes and fishing is perfect ; and there are 

 several translations. I have referred to the Univer- 

 sity of Oxford edition. 



According to him, the implements used by ancient 

 fishermen were — 



" The slender woven net, vimineous weel, 

 The taper angle, line, and barbed steel, 

 Are all the tools his constant toil employs ; 

 On arms like these the fishing swain relies." 



It was supposed by the ancients, that immense fish, 

 much larger than whales, peopled the depths of the sea 



