310 



CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



to the genus Centriscus is so great, that Schneider has 

 actually called one of them Centriscus Niloticus ; so that 



this resemblance being admitted_, and the situation of the 

 whole group intimated by the authorities we have cited, 

 we may feel some degree of confidence in the station now 

 assigned to these fishes. The resemblance of the Mor- 

 myrinw to Cen triscus, Fistidaria, Syngnathus, Gomphosis, 

 and all other long-snouted fishes, is too obvious to be ex- 

 patiated upon ; while no question can remain that this 

 resemblance is one of analogy, and not of affinityj since 

 Cuvier and most other ichthyologists agree in placing 

 Mormyrus close to the pikes and carps. Whether the 

 singular genus Diphpterus Gray enters among these, 

 or forms a part of the Esocincs, is an interesting but an 

 inferior question : we are now dealing with large assem- 

 blages ; and if these are once determined, the more mi- 

 nute details and relations can be subsequently worked 

 out. 



CHAP. X. 



ON THE PLEURONECTID^, OR FLAT FISH, AND THE GADTD^, 



OR CODS. 



(259.) The Pleuronectid^, or flat fish, succeed the 

 salmon family. Although the greater part are savoury 

 and even delicate eating, it must be confessed that they 

 are most unsightly fish, totally devoid of that graceful 



