HISTORY OF ICHTHYOLOGY. 67 



naturalist to the same regions.* The other work we 

 allude to is on the fishes of Brazil, discovered by the 

 late Dr. Spix, and edited by one of the most accom- 

 plished of hving ichthyologists, M. Agassiz : the figures 

 seem to be accurate t, and are highly finished, — too 

 much so, indeed, since this circumstance renders the 

 work very expensive ; while the letterpress is particu- 

 larly ample and elaborate : several plates are devoted to 

 pictorial representations of the modes of fishing pursued 

 by the native tribes ; and others, to the delineation of 

 the different form of the scales in various species, a 

 subject upon which M. Agassiz is known to have be- 

 stowed great attention. It is to be regretted that so 

 very few of the discoveries, not merely of new species, 

 but of singular and hitherto unknown types, contained 

 in the works just mentioned, should have been incor- 

 porated in the second edition of the Regne Animal^ of 

 which the ichthyological volume appeared so late as 

 the year 1829- M. Cuvier, indeed, has here character- 

 ised several additional genera, not contained in the first 

 edition; but they are chiefly, if not entirely, the fruits of 

 his ov>'n observation. These additions, however^ form 

 but a small proportion of the discoveries effected in this 

 science since 1817 ; so that the last work must be looked 

 upon more as the result of the learned author's indi- 

 vidual researches, than as giving a general exposition of 

 the present state of ichthyological knowledge. As a 

 collection of important facts, and of anatomical investi- 

 gations, it excels all others; and whatever objections 

 may be raised to the formation of the groups, there can 

 be but one opinion of its being of great usefulness. The 

 extensive researches of the author are more conspicuous 

 in the great work commenced by him in conjunction 

 with M. Valenciennes ; and this will ever remain an 



* Since the above was written, Dr. Riippell has kindly forwarded us a 

 copy of his Second Atlas, entitled *' Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna 

 Abyssinien gerorig, &c." The fish form one vol. folio, with 33 plates, more 

 delicately but less vigorously delineated than the other. 



t Although the majority are deficient in grace, and what is called good 

 drawing, the minute details of the teeth, &c. are particularly weli done. 



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