154 ON SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY. 
fishes, and forming the orders Branchiosteges and Chon- 
dropteriges ; but this arrangement, although natural, 
was too philosophic for general use. Linnzus perceived 
this; and, therefore, intent upon his primary object of 
producing a simple and definite artificial arrangement, 
he had recourse to the position of the ventral fins as the 
basis of his primary divisions: by attention to which, 
every one, at the first glance, could determine where he 
was to search for a particular species. 
(207.) The genera composing these orders will now 
be mentioned: very few of them have yet received En- 
glish names. 
PISCES. 
I. Arvopat Fisues. Having no ventral fins. 
Murena. Fel. Aperture of the gills on the side of the 
thorax. Order Avones Sw. 
Gymnotus. Naked-back. Dorsal fin none. 
Trichiurus. Caudal fin none ; body ensiform. 
Anarhichas. Wolf-fish. ‘Teeth rounded. 
Ammodytes. Sand-lance. Head narrower than the body. 
Ophidium. Body ensiform. 
Xiphias. Sword-fish. Snout ensiform. 
Stromateus. Stromat. Body oval, scaly; breast simple. 
Il. Jucutar Fisurs. Ventral fins before the pectoral. 
Callyonimus. Aperture of the gills on the nape. 
Uranoscopus. Star-gazer. Head Jarge, rough, depressed. 
Trachinus. Vent near the breast. 
Gadus. Cod. Pectoral fins tapering to a point. 
Blennius. Blenny. Ventral fins of two united rays. 
III. Tuoracic Fisurs. Ventral fins under the pectoral. 
Cepola. Ribbon-fish. Body ensiform, naked. 
Echineis. Remora, or Pilot. Crown flat, transversely furrowed. 
Coryphena, Dolphin. Head sloping suddenly downwards. 
Gobius. Goby. Ventral fins united into an oval fin. 
Cottus. Bull-head. Head broader than the body. 
Scorpena. Scorpion-fish. Head armed with prickles. 
Zeus. Silver-fish. Upper lip arched by a transverse mem- 
brane. 
Pleuronectes. Flatfish. Eyes both on one side of the head. 
Chetodon. Band-fish. Teeth setaceous, flexile, crowded. 
Sparus. Gilthead. ‘Teeth strong, obtuse; lip double. 
Labrus. Labbe. Dorsal rays, with a slender skin beyond. 
