358 CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



mous expense, as to be beyond the reach of private pur- 

 chase ; nor are specimens of either of these fishes to be 

 seen in the London museums. The annexed cut of Ere- 

 mophUus (fig. 93.) will show how much more it resembles 



the SiluridcE, in general structure, than any other family ; 

 while the smallness of its eyes, and its single dorsal 

 fin, gives it every appearance of belonging to the sub- 

 family of Aspredince : that it will form a distinct type, 

 cannot be questioned, although it has not even been 

 mentioned by M. Cuvier. If the figure is correct, it 

 would seem that the pectoral fins are placed on a pe- 

 duncle, so as to form a joint at the base, in precisely 

 the same manner as those of the frog-fish, or Chironec- 

 tidcB ; and hence we are led to infer that it is the re- 

 presentation of those fishes in the circle of the Aspre- 

 dince, in which case it would stand as the most aberrant 

 type, intermediate, perhaps, between Cotylephorus and 

 Mystus of Gronovius. Of the genus Heterobranchus 

 we have already spoken. Of the H. bidorsalis, our 

 figure (87.), reduced from that in the great work upon 

 Egypt, will give the reader a correct idea of its general 

 form : but not having the means of consulting the 



that they produce a contrary effect. Five or six hundred pounds will but 

 barely supply the working naturalist with such books as he must absolutely 

 possess, if his researches are extensive, and he writes for the public : the 

 additional purchase of such works of luxury as we here allude to, is, there- 

 fore, quite out of the question ; and thus, they do not advance, but injure 

 and impede science, by being so high priced as to debar nearly all natur- 

 alists from their possession. Fortunately, however, this extravagant taste 

 is giving way to a more rational and useful mode of publication. The 

 enterprising " proprietors of The Naturalist's Library have set an 

 example which we trust to see followed : they have, perhaps, erred in 

 the other extreme ; but this is, considering the pernicious effects of the 

 folio system, a minor evil. All we now want is a series of original volumes 

 of the same sort, to place the study of zoology, in all its branches, within 

 reach of every one who desires to cultivate it. 



