ZOOLOGY. 



175 



ORDER IV. 



Abdominales. — ABDOMINAL. 



GILLS bony; the ventral FINS SITUATED BEHIND 

 THE PECTORAL. 



Most of the Fishes in this Order are Marino, some are 

 found in rivers and lakes, and a few species in ponds ; of 

 some of the genera, all the species are applicable to the pur- 

 poses of food, but of others, many are rejected; we much 

 doubt if any species of fish is of itself poisonous, but may 

 have that effect from feeding on certain kinds of molusca*, 

 that are deleterious ; the roes of several species, in this order 

 particularly that of the oAreel, are apt to disagree with 

 many persons, on which account they are mostly accounted 

 poisonous. There are Tweiity-one genera in the order. 



1. Cohitis» LociiE. Eijes situated on the upper part of the 



head; body of almost an equal thickness throughout; 

 from the extremity of the upper jaw, protrude several 

 beard-like appendages ; gilUmembrane four or six 

 rayed, the covers of one piece, closing beneath ; oue 

 dorsal fill, 



2. Anablebs, Head sub-compressed ; mouth terminal 



teeth small, situated in the jaws ; eyes projecting with 

 double pupils ; gill-membrane six rayed. 



This is an anomaly among Fishes, as it yirtually possesses 



