THE PEECH. 301 



on, or preceded by, strong, sharp spines, capable of 

 inflicting a severe wound, and forming a very efficient 

 weapon of defense, so that the boldest and most vora- 

 cious of fishes rarely venture to seize them. All the 

 genera have two dorsal fina the first, or foremost, of 

 which is invariably supported on spines, as opposed to 

 soft branched rays ; while the second, or hindmost, is of 

 soft texture, preceded by one or more hard spines two 

 pectoral fins, both soft-rayed one ventral, and one anal, 

 each of which is often preceded by one or more spines 

 and one caudal, or tail fin, which is the main propell- 

 ing power of the animal. On the number of the hard 

 spines supplementary to the soft fins, are founded the 

 different families ; and on the number of spines in the 

 first dorsal, the dental system, and some other parts of 

 the bony structure, the lesser, or individual distinctions. 

 On color, as distinctive of genera, or even varieties, 

 little or no reliance can be placed, unless confirmed by 

 distinct variations in the bony formation ; since in all 

 fishes there is observed to exist a great range of hues, 

 shades, and even positive colors, arising sometimes from 

 mere casual influences operating on individual speci- 

 mens, sometimes from accidents of light or shade affect- 

 ing peculiar situations, and most frequently of all fi om 

 the soil and character of the feeding-grounds, and from 

 the various mineral or earthy substances held in solution 

 by the waters they frequent 



These latter influences frequently modify the same 



