NATURAL HISTORY OF FISHES 



CHAPTER I. 



" From icy oceans, where the whales 

 Toss in foam their lashing tails; 

 Where the snorting sea-horse shows 

 His ivory teeth in grinning rows." 



Miss Aikin. 



From the inhabitants of the air, we shall now take a cursory 

 view of the natives of the deep, and endeavour to exhibit for in- 

 spection a few of the most striking and interesting objects among 

 those numerous tribes of fishes which constitute this great division 

 of animated nature. 



Of these, the ocean is the grand receptacle, although the 

 livers and streams produce or contain great numbers of different 

 kinds ; and hence arises the general distinction between fresh 

 water and salt water fish. 



Of this numerous and prolific race, Linnaeus reckons upwards 

 of four hundred different species ; but it is extremely probable 

 that numbers are concealed in the vast extent and profundity of 

 the ocean, which have never yet been exposed to human obser- 

 vation. The wants or the luxury of mankind have drawn num- 

 bers from their watery abodes, and made us acquainted with 

 their formation ; but their history is, for the most part, little 

 known. Their migrations, their pursuits, and their pleasures, 

 are in a great measure concealed by that element which affords 

 them a residence. As far, however, as we can make probable 

 conjectures on the history of animals so little exposed to our ob 

 servation, the whole circle of their pursuits is confined to the 

 preservation of their existence and the propagation of their 

 species ; and an incessant desire of food appears to be their dom- 

 ineering impulse. Their digestive faculties also seem extraordi- 

 nary, for their stomachs can soften the most callous substances. 

 The larger of the species subsist by devouring the smaller; and 

 their whole lives are passed in a state of depredation. 



In this circumstance, we seem to discover the reason why the 

 predatory system exists among animals. The arguments generally 

 adduced to reconcile the state of incessant hostility subsisting in 

 the brute creation, with the paternal beneficence of the Author 

 of Nature, will be abundantly illustrated, by contemplating the 



