FISHES. 237 



may have given origin to the English name; or it may have 

 been derived from the French doree or jaune doree, having 

 reference to its peculiar golden colour. 



We might greatly enlarge these notices of traditionary lore, 

 as applicable to fishes, but shall merely mention one other 

 example. The Remora (Echeneis remora, Fig. 192) is re- 



Fig. 192 REMORA. 



markable for an adhesive or sucking disc, which covers the 

 upper part of the head, and enables it to adhere to the body 

 of another fish, or to the bottom of a vessel. But so great 

 were its fabulous powers, that it was said to be able suddenly 

 to arrest a vessel, even in her most rapid course. 



CLASSIFICATION. To Cuvier we are indebted for that 

 classification of fishes which is most generally adopted. It 

 is founded upon the nature of the skeleton, and on the struc- 

 ture and position of the fins. 



The following table exhibits Cuvier 's arrangement: 



OSSEOUS FISHES, 



OR THOSE WITH THE SKELETON OF BONE. 



I. ACANTHOPTERYGII, or fishes with spiny rays in the fins. Exam- 

 ples Perch, Gurnard. This group is not subdivided except into families, 

 genera, and species. 



Malacopteryg'd ; or fishes with flexible fin-rays. This group is divided 

 into the three following orders: 



II. MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES, with the ventral fins beneath the 

 abdomen. Examples Pike, Salmon, Herring. 



III. MAL. SUB-BRACHIALES, ventral fins beneath the pectoral. Exam- 

 ples Cod, Whiting, Ling. 



IV. MAL. APODES, ventral fins absent. Examples Eel, Conger Eel. 



V. LOPHOBRANCHII, the gills arranged in tufts. Example Pipe-fish. 



VI. PLECTOGNATHI, jaws as if soldered together. Examples Globe- 

 fish, Trunk-fish. 



CARTILAGINOUS, 



OR THOSE WITH THE SKELETON OF CARTILAGE. 



VII. STURIONES Sturgeons Branchiae pectinated (comb-shaped), 

 free, -with one large aperture. 



VIII. PLAGIOSTOMI Sharks and Kays. Branchiae pectinated, fixed; 

 gill apertures distinct and transverse. 



IX. CYCLOSTOMI. Lampreys. Branchia3 purse-shaped, fixed; gill 

 apertures distinct and circular. 



