Magazine_[5]]

[5] We are happy to perceive that the above journal rises
in interest and value as it proceeds; and merits all the
encouragement our notice of its first appearance may have induced
our readers to confer upon it.

[Illustration: Toad Fish]

The figure represents one of those fishes to which, on account of
their uncouth appearance, the name of Toad Fish has been popularly
given. Under this denomination there have been included many very
dissimilar kinds, extreme ugliness being held as alone sufficient for
the establishment of an undeniable claim to the title. The present
fish, and those nearly related to it, advance, however, peculiar
claims to the appellation. Their belly and side fins are borne upon
supports which project from the body in the semblance of limbs, their
similarity to which is increased by the jointed form they acquire at
the point of union of the fin with its support, and still farther
by the finger-like appearance of the rays of these fins, which are
unconnected by membrane at their tips. This curious structure imparts
to these fishes not only somewhat of the outward form of a quadruped,
but also a portion of its habits, and they are, accordingly, capable
of crawling like toads among the sea-weeds and rocks which they
usually inhabit; the side fins, which are placed farther back than
those of the belly, performing on each occasion the functions of
hinder feet. Nor is this mode of locomotion confined to the water
alone; it may, also, be exercised by them on land, for their
gill-openings are so small, that evaporation takes place but slowly
from within them, and thus the gills are kept moistened, and the