Il8 FISHES. 



5. Branchiostegous ; with gills destitute of bony 

 rays. 



6. Ckondropterigious* , with cartilaginous gills. 



THE EEL TRIBE. 



THE Apodal fish, of which the Eel forms the first 

 Linnean tribe, in their appearance and manners, 

 approach, in some instances, very nearly to the 

 Serpents. They have a smooth and slippery skin, 

 in general naked, or covered only with small, soft a 

 and distant scales. Their bodies are long and slen- 

 der, and they are supposed to live entirely on ani- 

 mal substances. 



The Eels have a smooth head, and tubular nos- 

 trils. Their gill-membrane has ten rays. The body 

 is nearly cylindrical, smooth, and slippery. The 

 tail, and the back and anal fins, are united. The 

 spiracle is behind the head or the pectoral fins. 



There are about nine species, most of which are 

 found only in the seas. One of these frequents our 

 fresh waters, and three others occasionally visit our 

 shores. 



* Apodes, Jugulares, Thoracici, Abdominales, Branchiostegi, and 

 Chondropterygii. 



