Page:An Introduction to the Study of Fishes.djvu/29

Rh 1. With four limbs: Seals, Hippopotamus, Beaver, Otter, and other aquatic Mammalia. 2. With two limbs: Mermaids, etc. C. Oviparous Amphibians (=Reptiles and Frogs). D. Viviparous Cartilaginous fishes. 1. Of an oblong form (=Sharks). 2. Of a flat form (=Rays and Lophius). E. Oviparous Cartilaginous fishes (=Sturgeons and Silurus). F. Oviparous Cetaceans, with spines instead of bones (=large marine fishes, like the Thunny, Sword-fish, Sciænoids, Bass, Gadoids, Trachypterus). II. Spinous Oviparous fishes of a flat form (=Pleuronectidæ). III. Fishes of a high form, like Zeus. IV. Fishes of a snake-like form (=Eels, Belone, Sphyræna). V. Small Oviparous, spinous, scaly, marine fishes. 1. Pelagic kinds. 2. Littoral kinds. 3. Kinds inhabiting rocky localities. VI. Fluviatile and Lacustrine fishes.

The work of the Roman ichthyologist, (1514-72), is characteristic of the high social position which the author held as the physician of three popes. Its title is "Aquatilium animalium historia" (Rom. 1554-57, fol.) It treats exclusively of the fishes of Italy. Ninety-two species are figured on seventy-six plates which, as regards artistic execution, are masterpieces of that period, although those specific characteristics which now-a-days constitute the value of a zoological drawing, were entirely overlooked by the author or artist. No attempt is made at a natural classification, but the allied forms generally are placed in close proximity. The descriptions are quite equal to those given by Belon, entering much into the details of the economy and usefulness of the several species, and were evidently composed with the view of collecting in a readable form all that might