. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. CHAPTER LVII THE ORDER OF THE DOGFISH HALECOilORPIII To naturalists, the Dogfish' is a creature of much interest. Like the prong-horned antelope, it is so unique and peculiar that it has been nec- essary to create for it a grand di\dsion of classifi- cation which it occupies all alone. The antelope is only a Family, but this fish is a whole Order. Its other English names are Mudfish, Boiofin, Grindle and Lawyer; and since Linnaeus chris- tened it Aviia calva, in 1766, eleve
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. CHAPTER LVII THE ORDER OF THE DOGFISH HALECOilORPIII To naturalists, the Dogfish' is a creature of much interest. Like the prong-horned antelope, it is so unique and peculiar that it has been nec- essary to create for it a grand di\dsion of classifi- cation which it occupies all alone. The antelope is only a Family, but this fish is a whole Order. Its other English names are Mudfish, Boiofin, Grindle and Lawyer; and since Linnaeus chris- tened it Aviia calva, in 1766, eleven other natural- ists have given it eleven other names in THE nOGFISH. The Dogfish has an air-bladder that is divided into cells, and is a half-developed lung. At in- tervals it ascends to the surface of the water, gulps down a mouthful of air, just as a turtle does, and descends again. If hindered from rising when the time comes to take in a supply of fresh air, the fish struggles violently, hke a mammal about to be drowned; but it can expel air while below the surface. This character indicates that lungs were first developed in fishes, from modifi- cations of their air-bladders. Other characters establish _a distinct relationship with the gar fishes, and place it in the Subclass Ganoidca. The dorsal fin is low, of uniform height through- out, and is about one-half as long as the entire fish. By its general anatomy, this fish appears to stand midway between the true lung-fishes and ' Ani-i'a cal'ra. the gar pikes. It is of scientific interest, only, for, save to the negroes of the South, its flesh is quite unpalatable, and valueless as food. It is an inhabitant of sluggish fresh waters, attains a length of 2 feet, and 12 pounds weight. It is found in the great lakes, the Mississippi valley generally, and in a few fresh-water streams on the southern Atlantic coast. The individuality of the Dogfish is very posi- tive and interesting. Among the small fry of other fishes i
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