XiV INTRODUCTION. 



THE FIRST SERIES OF FISHES, OR 

 ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



I. Acanthopterygii (proper). This order presents mem- 



bers interesting to the Angler ; as the perch, the 

 miller' s-thumb, and the stickle-bat. The marine 

 members of the order are very numerous, of which 

 the mackerel) basse, and gurnard, form familiar 

 instances. The principal characteristic of the 

 order is the spinous processes furnished by the 

 dorsal fin. 



II. Malacopterygii Abdominales. This order includes 



the greatest number of objects of angling sports, 

 as the carp, the tench, the barbel, the gudgeon, 

 &c. A second family of the order embraces the 

 pike, as a third owns the widely diffused sal- 

 monida, and the more important one of the trutta 

 or trout. The Cuverian characters of this order 

 are the suspension of the ventral fins to the under 

 part of the belly, and behind the pectoral fins, 

 without being attached to the humeral bone. 



III. Malacopterygii Subbrachiati. This order presents 



as its first family, the gadites, whose type is the 

 well known cod, with its varieties of haddock, 

 whiting, hake, pollock, &c. In another family 

 the epicure will find the turbot, with the vast tribe 

 known zsjlat-fish. This order is characterised by 

 ventrals attached under the pectorals, and a pelvis 

 which is immediately suspended to the bones of 

 the shoulder. 



IV. Malacopterygii Apodes. This order is principally 



confined to one natural family, of which the fa- 



