£ 79 3 



IV. An Account of Five rare Species of 

 British Fishes. 



By George Montagu, Esq; F. L. S. & M. W. S. 



(Read llth March 1809J 



Nature opens her stores to us by slow degrees; 

 and thus, by not unfolding all her treasures at 

 once, the human mind is not only kept in con- 

 stant expectation, but impressed with sentiments 

 of the highest importance, by continual novelty, 

 leading us to reflect on the infinite power and 

 wisdom of that Being, whose wondrous works 

 are daily and hourly multiplying upon our senses. 



Among the animals whose powers of loco-mo- 

 tion are considerable, there are none that appear 

 to have so little difficulty in transporting them- 

 selves, or so small a share of the vicissitudes of 

 temperature to contend with, as fishes. Birds 

 which are endowed with superior powers of trans- 

 portation, have to contend with elements that 

 frequently baffle their intentions, and subject 



