ICHTHYOLOGY. 25 



Q. What is the principal genus of the Sturgeon 

 kind of cartilaginous fish ? 



A. The principal genus of this class is Ac- 

 cipenser, or the Sturgeon, of which there are three 

 species, two only of which deserve particular no- 

 tice, Accipenser Huso and Accipenser Sturio. 



Q. Describe Accipenser Huso. 



A. Accipenser Huso, or the Isinglass Fish, is 

 found chiefly in the Danube and the rivers of 

 Russia. Its body is smooth, having neither 

 prickles nor protuberances, and the skin is so tough 

 that it is employed in drawing wheel carriages. 

 It grows to twenty-four feet in length, and from 

 the sound and scales isinglass is made ; from the 

 mouth depend four cirri or appendages resembling 

 small worms. 



Q. Is not the Sturio a remarkable fish ? 

 A. Accipenser Sturio, or the Sturgeon properly 

 so called, is an inhabitant both of the salt water 

 and fresh, ascending large rivers in the spring 

 Contrary to all other fish of the cartilaginous kind 

 it is oviparous. It frequently attains the length 

 of eighteen or twenty feet, and has a formidable 





Protuberances, $. knobs or bunches. 

 Depend, v. hang down. 

 Ovip'arous, bringing forth eggs. 

 c 



