37 



CHAPTEE II. 



OX THE GENERAL STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY OF 

 FISHES. 



SECTION I. 



Introductory Observations. 



THE natural history of Fishes may be greatly 

 promoted by anglers, and some knowledge of that 

 history assuredly adds interest to the pursuits of 

 the sportsman. He ought, therefore, to be able to 

 skin and prepare his specimens, to observe and de- 

 scribe them with precision, and to dissect them 

 with sufficient skill to take cognizance both of their 

 external parts and their internal structure. Every 

 naturalist, on the other hand, should be an angler, 

 and that for more reasons than one. In the re- 

 moter and less peopled districts of the country, 

 which so frequently present the most interesting 

 fields for observation, he has no means of inspect- 

 ing the finny tribes except by capturing them 

 propria manu, and his doing so will greatly con- 



