1^0 SPINOUS FISHES* 



which the conclufion is, that thej undergo a change ba* 

 fore they arrive at maturity. 



The general chara6ler by which naturalifls diftinguilk 

 the fpinous fifhes from every "other, is that bony opercu- 

 ium, whichj in this order, univerfally covers the gills oa 

 each fide. By thefe coverings, the gills are alternately 

 opened and Unit 5 and the fpinous fillies breathe by thefs 

 organs alone, without any affiftance from lungs. Hence, 

 as thefe animals partake lefs of the conformation of qua- 

 drupeds, than the two orders which we have already ex- 

 amined, fo they can in general remain a fiiorter time out 

 of their proper element : When taken from the water, 

 they teilify their fuffering, by panting more violently, 

 and at clofcr intervals ; the thin air furnilhes not theiY 

 gills with proper play, and in a few minutes they ex- 

 pire. 



But the fpinous tribes are not all equally incapable of 

 fupporting life ift the open air ; fome are tenacious of it, 

 even in that element. The eel will live feveral hours 

 out of water ; and the carp has been known to be fat- 

 tened in a damp cellar, i he manner in which this pro- 

 cefs is conducted, is by putting the animal in a net^ 

 wrapt up in wet mofs, the mouth only difengaged, for 

 the convenience of feeding : The nourifliment with which 

 it bell agrees, is v^hite bread and milk ; and upon th?s 

 food It will fatten more rapidly, and become better fla- 

 voured than when fed in the pond. It is neceflary, how- 

 ever, that the net be dipped frequently in water, and 

 kept hanging in a damp vault. From this experiment, 

 it would appear, that the want of moillure to the gills, 

 is the caufe of death in thefe animals ; and could that be 

 fupplied, the vital funftions might be carried on nearly 

 W well in the one element, as in the other. 



