FISHES. 51 



rose color; frequents the Caspian Sea. Its flesh and 

 and caviare are preferred before the others. 



The last of this order, called 



The Ape Fish (chimsera monstrosa) is the most singu- 

 lar-looking of all the fish tribes. The muzzle is obtuse 

 and inclined upwards ; the upper lip is cleft in the man- 

 ner of what is termed a harelip, and has a number of 

 folds and borders. The eyes resemble those of a cat ; 

 the tail is long and very thin, and directly in front of the 

 first dorsal limb is a kind of saw-like fin, composed of 

 sharp spines. Its length is about four feet. The flesh 

 is bad. 



EIGHTH ORDEK. 



CARTILAGINOUS FISHES WITH FIXED 

 BRAXCHLE. 



This order (Chondropterigii) instead of free branchiae, 

 protected by a single covering, have them adherent to 

 the integuments, and on the sides of the neck are many- 

 openings, which lead to the gill arches. To these belong 



THE SHARKS (Squalides}, 



Which are among the largest ; their mouths are planted 

 all over with teeth ; these, formidable from their num- 

 bers, are also, for the most part, lancet-shaped and in- 

 dented. Mouth and nostrils are directly below the 

 pointed muzzle ; the skin is either entirely smooth or 

 studded with a multitude of small, stony tubercles, and 



