208 



THE BLACK SEA. 



the Caspian and Black Seas. They are nearly 

 Eussian as to their nationality, and would be quite 

 so, but for the Danube. They are the forms of 

 a geological region of great antiquity which has 

 undergone great physical changes, the account of 

 which will belong rather to the Geological History 

 of the European area. 



The Sting Eay (Trig on pistanaca), and another 

 species which has not been determined, are found 

 in considerable numbers in the Black and Caspian 

 Seas, as also in the waters of the sea of Azof, 

 which at times are nearly fresh. It may surprise 

 some to find such fish inhabiting such a medium ; 

 but it will be found that this Eay commonly occurs 

 throughout the Mediterranean on the mud deposit 

 of the mouths of large rivers, and it may also be 

 remembered that fresh-water forms of the genus 

 occur in the great rivers of the South American 

 continent. 



Lastly, a species of Lamprey is taken in great 

 quantities in the Sea of Azof. 



