1b G 
SPINOUS FI5HE3. 
which the conclufion is, that they undergo a change be- 
fore they arrive at maturity. 
The general character by which naturalifts diftihguill^ 
the fpinous fiihes from every other, is that bony opercu- 
lum, which, in this order, univerfally covers the gills on 
each fide. By thefe coverings, the gills are alternately 
opened and fliut ; and the fpino.us fillies breathe by thefe 
organs alone, without any a Hi fiance from lungs. Hence, 
as thefe animals partake lefs of the conformation of qua- 
drupeds, than the two orders which we have already ex- 
amined, fo they can in general remain a lliorter time out 
of their proper element : When taken from the watei, 
they teltify their fullering, by panting more violently, 
and at clofer intervals ; the thin air furnifhes not their 
gills with proper play, and in a few minutes they ex- 
P ' re ' • e 
But the fpinous tribes are not all equally inc.apabie ol 
fupporting lite in the open air ; forne arc tenacious of it* 
even in that element. The eel will live feveral hours 
out of water ; and the carp has been known to be fat- 
tened in a damp cellar, the manner in which this pro- 
cefs is conduced, is by putting the animal in a net, 
wrapt up in wet mofs, the mouth only difengaged, f° r 
the convenience of feeding : The nourifhment with which 
it belt agrees, is white bread and milk ; and upon this 
food it will fatten more rapidly, and become better fl a ' 
voured than when fed in the pond. It is neceffary, hovr-* 
ever, that the net b'e dipped frequently in water, an 
kept hanging in a damp vault. From this experiment 
it would appear, that the want of moillure to the gi^ s ’ 
is the caufe of death in thefe animals ; and could that 
fuj plied, the vital funftions might be carried on ne3! ‘^ 
as well in the one eiement, as in the other. 
