COMMON ANGLER. 
The Common Angler is to be classed, not 
among the beauties, but the cuiiosities of Na- 
ture. It is, in fa6l, one of the most deformed 
inhabitants of the ocean. 
This very singular species of fish was known 
to the ancients, by the pames of Batrachos, 
and of Kana : among us, it has obtained the 
several appellations of the Toad Fish, the Frog 
Fish, and the Sea Devil ; as well as it's most 
general denomination, the Common Angler. 
It's entire form much resembles that of a 
frog, or toad, in their tadpole state; from 
which circumstance it has, of course, derived 
two of it's various names : but, as the fish of- 
ten grows to the length of four or five feet, 
the vast difference of magnitude, between that 
and a tadpole, would prevent, in m.uny minds, 
any idea of assimilation, without somcprevious 
liint of an existing likeness. 
The 
