701 



ICHTHYOLOGY. 



t'.lassifie*. 

 lion of 



Gtxi:s CLII. CAHnos. 



Body and tail compressed; jaws destitute of teeth; 

 two dorsal tins. 



Tin's genus, from xnvoe;, aper, was instituted by La 

 Cqicde, and so named from the resemblance the only 

 known species bears to a wild boar. It is the Zeus 

 upcr of Linnxus, and has long been known as an in- 

 habitant of the Mediterranean. It is scarcely three 

 inches in length, and is of a reddish colour ; the snout 

 is somewhat produced and sharpish, and protrudes in 

 the act of opening like the common Doree. Its flesh 

 is said to be very coarse, and of a rank flavour. 



GENUS CLIII. PLEURONECTF.S. Flounder. 



With pectoral fins ; both eyes on the same side of 

 the head. 



This extensive and important genus, containing up- 

 wards of forty species, derives its name from irtevpey, 

 lulus, and FJIKTD;, nalator. The genus is divided into 

 two sections, from the position of the eyes, both of 

 which are always placed on one side of the head. 

 In the first division are placed those having the eyes 

 on the right side, and in the second those having the 

 eyes on the left. It sometimes happens, however, that 

 a species with eyes in general on the right side, has 

 been found having its eyes on the left, all the other 

 characters of a species remaining fixed. This circum- 

 stance points out the propriety of being cautious in re- 

 lying on the character furnished by the position of the 

 eyes. 



The genus contains at present upwards of thirty 

 species, but a more attentive examination of their cha- 

 racters, than has hitherto taken place, would perhaps 

 point out the propriety of suppressing a few as varie- 

 ties, and some as hybrids. Their flesh is white, plea- 

 sant, and easily digested ; and as the species are of 

 considerable size, they are much sought after as food. 

 Several species delight to reside at the mouths of rivers, 

 and even to live in the fresh water. By a little atten- 

 tion these might be translated into lakes and ponds, 

 and thus not only the quantity, but the variety of food 

 furnished might be increased. AH the species prefer a 

 sandy bottom, and they are much more numerous in 

 cold than in hot countries. 



GENUS CLIV. Acmnus. 



Both eyes on the same side of the head ; no pectoral 

 fins. 



This genus, from privative and %uf, maims, was 

 formed for the reception of those species which have 

 no pectoral fins, formerly included in the genus pleu- 

 ronectes. There are six species known. The A. 

 mamioratus inhabits the sea at the Isle of France, 

 where it was observed by Commerson. Its flesh is 

 esteemed excellent. We may observe, that Commerson 

 observed a row of pores at the base of the dorsal and 

 anal fins, equal in number to the rays in those fins, 

 which upon being pressed poured out a milky mucus. 



ORDER XX. ABDOMINAL. 



GENUS CLV. CIRRHITUS. 



Gill-flap of seven rays, the last remote; beards 

 united by a membrane, and placed near the pectoral 

 fins. 



This genus contains only one species described from 

 the MSS. of Commerson. It bears a close resemblance 

 to the species of the genus Holocentrus and Perca. The 

 seven filaments .of the beard are long, and united by a 

 membrane, resembling a second pectoral fin. There is 

 no mention made of the place where it was found. 



4 



GENUS CLVI. Ciir.ii.or>\<n vr.rs. 



Body and tail compressed ; upper lip double and ex- 

 tensile ; head abrupt. 



There is only one species belonging to this genus, 

 from the East Indies ; and described from a specimen 

 in the Dutch collection. 



GENUS CLVIT. COBITIS. Loche. 



Head, body, and tail cylindrical; eyes near the sum- Loche. 

 mil of the head ; no teeth ; bearded ; one dorsal fin ; 

 scales minute. 



This genus contains three species, two of which have 

 been long known to naturalists. The first, G. barba- 

 lula, or common Loch, is common in the waters of the 

 southern and middle districts of Europe. It prefers 

 rivers which have a gentle current, to those which are 

 either rapid or dormant. Its flesh, during autumn and 

 spring, is esteemed a great delicacy, superior indeed to 

 all other fresh water fish, especially when it is killed in 

 wine or in milk. It has been translated into some of 

 the northern countries of Europe. It soon expires 

 when removed from the water, and even when placed 

 in water in a state of rest. The G. Icenia differs 

 in external character from the last, chiefly in having a 

 double spine on each side of the head, a little before the 

 eyes. When taken from the water, it emits a grunt- 

 ing sound like the gurnard, and is more vivacious than 

 the last. Its flesh is dry and insipid The G. Tricirrhata 

 was observed by M. Noel in the rivulets near Rouen. 

 Its beard consists of three filaments. 



GENUS CLVIII. MISGURNUS. 



Body and tail cylindrical ; one short dorsal fin; jaws 

 with teeth. 



The Cobitis fossilis of Linnseus is the only known 

 species of the genus. It inhabits marshes and lakes 

 with a muddy bottom. It is remarkably vivacious, and 

 is capable of surviving among mud, provided it be 

 moist. This is a wise provision of nature, by which 

 this animal is fitted for those situations in which it re- 

 sides. When the pools or ditches in which it lives dry 

 up, this animal buries itself in the mud, and lives se- 

 curely until the rain replenishes its pond. As it is 

 frequently dug up in this situation, it has been supposed 

 to search for its food in the ground like an earth-worm. 

 It will remain alive under ice, provided there is a small 

 portion of unfrozen water around it. It appears to be 

 extremely sensible to the changes in the state of the 

 atmosphere. During calm weather, it remains at rest 

 on the mud in the bottom of the ditch ; but, at the ap- 

 proach of a storm, or change of weather, it rises to the 

 surface of the water, and moves about with seeming ur 

 easiness. Hence it is often kept in vessels within doors 

 by the curious, for the purpose of predicting the chan- 

 ges in the weather. In winter, it buries itself in the 

 mud, and issues forth in spring when it spawns. It is 

 found in the marshes and lakes of the midland parts 

 of Europe. Its flesh is soft, and but little sought 

 after. 



GENUS CLIX. ANABLEPS. 



Pupil of the eye double. 



The A. surinamensis, the only known species, was 

 the cobitis anableps of Linnaeus. It is a native of the 

 rivers of Surinam, near the sea coasts. We have al- 

 ready adverted to the extraordinary structure of the 

 eyes in this fish, which appear as if furnished with two 

 pupils. The anal fin in the male is composed of nine 

 rays, the last three or four only being distinct. The 

 preceding ones, are in part united with a hollow coni- 

 cal appendix covered with scales, and open at the apex. 

 This opening communicates with the milt and tke blad- 



