70 
LECTURE VIII. 
placed nearly opposite each other towards the 
end : the common Pike is a native of many parts 
of Europe, but is commonly said to have been 
first introduced into England in the reign of Henry 
the Eighth. In America are certain very large 
species of this genus, covered with very strong, 
bony, square scales, as if in a kind of armour. 
But the genus Silurus is a more remarkable 
instance of this bony kind of armature investing 
some particular Eishes. In the genus Silurus we 
have examples of Fishes entirely coated as if in a 
regular suit of armour. Many naturalists, how- 
ever, choose to separate these armed species from 
the rest under different titles. 
The curious genus Exocoetiis contains the true 
or proper flying-fishes, or such as are particularly 
known by that name : this genus is by no means 
numerous j containing only four or five species. 
All are distinguished by a lengthened herring- 
shaped body, and pectoral fins of a vast length 
and size, and of a sharpened form. The common 
Flying-Fish is about the size of a Herring and of 
a silvery colour, with pale brown fins. It is often 
observed in the Mediterranean, sometimes singly, 
and sometimes in shoals, occasionally springing 
