112 VERTEBRATES: FISHES. 



ful power and swift motion of some, the wholesome 

 and delicious food furnished by many, and the exciting 

 sport of their capture, combine to render Pishes objects 

 of great interest to almost every one. The number of 

 known kinds is about ten thousand. 



SPINE-riNNED FISHES. 



Spine-finned Pishes have spines in the back or dorsal 

 fin, and often in the lower fins. The Perch, Sea-Bass, 

 Pond-Pish or Bream, Star-Gazers, Sculpins, Stickle- 

 backs, Porgees, Mackerel, Sword-Pishes, and a host of 

 others belong to this group ; for it is the largest of all 

 the groups of Pishes. 



The American Yellow Perch, of our ponds and rivers, 

 is known to every boy. The Striped Bass is caught in 

 the sea near the shore, and the largest weigh seventy- 

 five pounds each. The Pond-Pish or Bream is found in 

 every pond, and the round cavities, which it makes for 

 its nest, may be seen in great numbers near the shore. 

 The Star-Gazers live in the sea, and have the eyes on 

 top of the head, so that they appear as though look- 

 ing at the heavens. The Sculpins live in the sea, and 

 are often called Sea Robins, Sea Ravens, &c. The 

 Sticklebacks are very small fishes which inhabit both 

 the sea and streams, and are very active and greedy, 

 a single one having devoured seventy-five young fish in 

 less than half a day! They construct very curious 

 nests. The Weak Fish and Porgees live in the Atlan- 

 tic Ocean, and are caught for food. The Mackerel lives 

 in the sea, and is caught on the coast of New England 

 in immense numbers. The Sword Pish has the upper 

 jaw very much extended, forming a powerful and dan- 



