324 APPENDIX. 



poghssus or halibut; the platessa, flounder, fluke and flat-fish; the 

 pUu/ronectes or turbot ; and the achirus or sole. 



Of the apodala, or those without lower fins, we have the anguil- 

 10,06 or eels, and the genus conger or conger eel, and the ammodytei 

 or sand-lance. 



The subdivision hphobrancTiii, which is distinguished by having 

 little tufts at the giQs, has the following families : 



The syngnathidos, which have the body armed with transverse 

 plates, and have a large gUl-cover and single dorsal. It includes the 

 gyngnafhus or pipe-fish, and the hippocampits or sea-horse. 



The subdivision plectonathi have concealed giUs and a narrow 

 fissure for gill opening; the family gymnodontidci has»in lieu of 

 teeth a bony substance like enamel, and includes the diodon or 

 balloon-fish and the tetraodon or swell-fish, both of which can inflate 

 themselves. The family baUstidx is represented by the file or 

 fool-fish. 



Of the cartilaginous fish the eleutheropomi have free gills with a 

 strong cover, but no rays, and include the family of the sturionidoB, 

 which have large bony plates in longitudinal rows and a mouth 

 underneath and toothless. The genus aeipenser or sturgeon is alone 

 common. 



The order ptagiostomi has fixed gUls without cover ; the family 

 squalidtB, which has the gill-holes never underneath, comprises the 

 cwreharias or shark, the lamna or mackerel shark, the mmtellus or 

 dog-flsh, the selachus or basking shark, and the zygmna or hammer- 

 headed shark. 



The family raiidw has a flattened body, large pectorals and bran- 

 chial openings underneath. It comprises the rays, the skates and 

 the devil-fish. 



The order eyclostomi includes the fajmljpei>romyz(mida, which has 

 neither pectorals nor ventrals, comprising the petromyson or sea- 

 lamprey and the a/mmocmtes or common lamprey. 



These are the principal varieties of fish found in the waters of the 

 northern section of America according to their scientific designa- 

 tions and their confused and intricate popular appellations. Perhaps 

 in time, with the diffusion of knowledge and the efforts of sportsmen, 

 uniformity may be obtained, and the' language of Massachusetts be 

 comprehensible to the inhabitants of Iowa. To effect this object 

 should be the desire of all, and it is to be hoped that naturalists and 

 sportsmen will mutually aid one another by ascertaining the appro- 

 priate name of each species, and when ascertained, by applying it 

 invariably. 



