120 



LUSITANIAN PROVINCE. 



The number of kinds of fish must be regarded, com- 

 pared with the Celtic number, as proportionately- 

 large, when we consider the limits and peculiarities 

 of the district submitted to exploration. The 

 spiny-finned division of the osseous fishes is espe- 

 cially well represented. Their proportion, as com- 

 pared with the soft-rayed division, is greater than 

 in either the British or Mediterranean seas. Mr. 

 Lowe remarks, that, " instead of occupying a place, 

 considered ichthyologically, corresponding with its 

 latitude, Madeira seems to be intermediate between 

 Great Britain and the Mediterranean." This would 

 accord with our view of its forming a portion of 

 the Lusitanian province. The number of fishes of 

 tropical forms is smaller than we might expect from 

 the position of the island. 



The remarks made by Mr. Lowe on the facies of 

 the Madeiran fish-fauna are so interesting and to 

 the purpose that I think it well to extract them 

 entire, especially as they may serve to interest 

 and inform many of our invalid countrymen who 

 may visit hereafter, in their search after health, the 

 beautiful island whose marine productions have 

 been so admirably investigated by this distinguished 

 and accurate naturalist. 



"The list of fishes," he remarks, "fails to con- 

 vey a faithful picture of the general character and 

 aspect of Madeiran ichthyology. It does not suffi- 

 ciently express the decided predominance of the 

 Sparidal, Scombridal, and Percidal forms above all 



