OF FISH. 
REMARKS ON FISH IN GENERAL, 
It has been proved from experience, that the very 
depths of the immense ocean contain myriads of crea- 
tures, to whose very form we ate almost strangers, and 
of whose dispositions and manners we are still more ig- 
norant, In their construction, however, modes of life, 
and general design, these creatures are as truly wonder- 
ful as the inhabitants of either the land or air. 
The structure of fish, and their conformation to the 
element in which they are to live, are eminent proofs of 
divine wisdom. Most of them have the same external 
form, sharp at each end, and swelling in the middle, by 
which configuration they are enabled to traverse the 
watery element with greater ease and swiftness. From 
their shape, men have taken the idea of those vessels 
which are intended to sail with the greatest speed; but 
the progress of the swiftest sailing ship, with the advan- 
tage of a favourable wind, is far inferior to that of fish. 
Ten or twelve miles an hour is no small degree of rapi- 
dity in the sailing of a ship; yet any of the larger spe- 
cies of the watery tribe would soon overtake her, play 
round as if she did not move, and even advance consi- 
derably before her. 
The fins of fish are denominated from their situations. 
The pectoral fins are placed at a little distance behind 
the opening of the gills, and are large and strong, and 
serve as well to balance the body as to assist the motion 
of the fish. The ventral fins are placed towards the 
lower part of the body, under the belly, and serve chiefly 
to raise or depress the fish in the water. The dorsal 
