the former, and in the Antilles is domesticated for the table. Other species are mentioned; and also the Hyla or Tree-frogs (H. lateralis), which conceal themselves among the leaves of trees, and feed on insects. Toads are likewise very common, and Salamanders are more numerous than in Europe. One of the best-known is the Hellbender (S. gigantea), or Gigantic Salamander, found in the large rivers and lakes of the interior, and measuring fifteen or eighteen inches long.

In a country abounding so much in rivers, lakes, and seacoast, the Fish may well be supposed numerous. Many species have accordingly been enumerated, but the manners and habits of the natives of the waters being almost unknown, they present few points of interest, unless to the scientific student, and we shall not therefore enter into long details concerning them. The Perca flavescens is the common perch of the North American rivers; and on the coast there occurs a fine large species of Basse (Labrax). The Pike-perch (Lucio-perca) are likewise found, the common Green Pickering of Canada belonging to this genus (L. Canadensis). The Blackperch (Centropristis nigricans) is a large fish of a blackish-brown colour, and the Pond-perch (Pomotis vulgaris, Cuv.), with other related species, are found in the fresh waters. Some species of Sphyraena, large fish with an elongated body resembling pike, but now united with the perches, are known in America, and one (Sph. barracuda) is nearly as much dreaded as the shark. The Weak-fish (Otolithus regalis, Cuv.) is one of the most abundant in the markets of New York. It weighs sometimes six pounds or more, and is caught by the line, but only in salt water. Its English name is given from the ease with which it can be pulled out of the water, or as some say, from its enfeebling effect when used habitually as food. The fishermen attribute to it certain dull sounds heard under the water at the time when it is most abundant. The power of producing a similar hollow noise has given the name of drums to the Pogonias, shoals of which frequent the shallow bays on the

south coast of Long Island, in the summer, and the shores of Carolina and Florida in still greater abundance, through the whole year.

The Bodianus triourus, or Triple-tailed Black-perch of Mitchell, is so named from the dorsal and anal fins being so prolonged as with the true tail to make the body appear divided into three lobes. It is about the size of the common perch, though some weigh four or five pounds. It is thought good eating, but is rarely brought to New York. A species more esteemed in that city is the Sheep's-head (Sargus ovis), which, when boiled, the natives think cannot be surpassed by any fish in flavour, with the exception of the trout and salmon. It forms an important object of fishery on the coasts of this state, which it approaches during the summer and autumn. They swim in troops, and are taken in nets, sometimes many hundreds at a time. They are then packed in ice and sent to the market of New York, or in cold seasons even to Philadelphia. The middle-sized sell for one to one and a half dollars, but the larger ones bring four to seven pounds sterling. The Scomber grex, a species of mackerel which externally very much resembles that of Europe, sometimes appears in immense numbers on the coasts of the United States, where some other species are also known, several of which are now classed in distinct genera, as Nomeus and Caranx. The Temnodon saltator, a fine silvery fish, seems very widely dispersed in the ocean, Cuvier having received it with scarcely any variation from the United States, Alexandria, the Cape, and New Holland. The Mugil albula, under which it would appear several distinct species are included, is very abundant on the coasts, especially of North Carolina. Its flesh is esteemed

equally good with that of the common mullet.

The soft-finned fishes (Malacopterygii) are also numerous in the New World, where we find either our common species, or others related, which supply their place. The Carp family are more abundant in the Old than the New World, where the place of the true carps (Cyprini)

seems to be supplied by the genus Catastomus, with thick, fleshy-fringed lips, of which Lesueur has described seventeen species, all living in the fresh waters. Pæcilia, with some allied genera, are small, viviparous, freshwater fishes, with fleshy lips and broad oval bodies, resembling the loaches of our rivers in many particulars. The Common Pike (Esox lucius) is said, perhaps on insufficient authority, to be a native of North America, where two other species occur, one of which has its sides marked by a net-work of brownish lines (E. reticularis). On the coast of New England, a species of the Gar-fish (Belone truncata) is also known. The Exoceti, or Flyingfish, accompany the tropical currents far down the coast of North America, and Colonel Hamilton Smith saw one caught not far from the island of Sable, near Halifax, the ship having passed two icebergs on the same day. Many species of Salmon and Trout, some of them peculiar, are found in the fresh waters of America, though the headquarters of this family seem to be in the Old World. The Smelt (Osmerus) is common to both hemispheres, together with the genera Thymallus and Coregonus. The Herring (Clupea elongata), with some allied species, and others resembling the Shad (Alosa), are found on the American coasts and in the Ohio, five or six species classed by Rafinesque in the genera Pomolobus, Dorosoma, and Notemigonus. In this river and Lake Erie are found two species of Hyodon (H. clodalis and tergisus), which are popularly known under the name of herring. Their colour, scales, large eyes, and compressed form of body, give them a strong general resemblance to these, but their mouths fully armed with teeth, their general habits, and food, principally live insects, unite them to the salmon family. Another inhabitant of the fresh waters is the Lepisosteus, whose cylindrical body is entirely covered with diamond-shaped scales as hard as stone. Both jaws are bristled over with numerous rasp-like teeth, with a row of long pointed ones along the edges. These fish grow to a large size, and are thought good eating.

VOL. III.

S

Several species of Sturgeon (Accipenser), peculiar to North America, are found near the mouths of the large rivers, seldom venturing far from the shore. According to Pennant, they were so numerous in some rivers of Virginia, that 600 have been taken in two days, merely by putting a pole with a strong hook at the end of it into the water, and drawing it up when it touched a fish. The flesh of all the species is said to be delicious. Related to these is a curious fish, the Polyodon reticulatus, found in the Mississippi, distinguished by the extreme prolongation of the snout, which forms nearly half the whole body.

In some of the caves in New York state a fish, named Amblyopsis spelaus by Dr Dekay, has been found, and specimens closely resembling it have been procured from the caverns so frequent in Kentucky. Like the Proteus of Illyria, these fish are blind, and appear even to want eyes altogether, these organs being of no use in the dark recesses they inhabit. Their place in the system seems not well determined, but they are arranged by the observer mentioned above among the Siluridæ.*

* A full account of the insects peculiar to North America will be found in British America, vol. iii. p. 267-303. (Edinburgh Cabinet Library).

CHAPTER VI.

Topographical Survey.

Plan of this Survey-General Divisions:-I. The New England States-Massachusetts-Connecticut-Rhode Island-New Hampshire-Vermont-Maine-Boundaries-ExtentSeacoast Surface Mountains - Rivers - Industry-Productions, &c.-Return of chief Articles of Produce by the Census of 1840-Population of Cities and Towns in 1840Description of Boston, Lowell, Providence, and other Places. II. Middle States-New York-Pennsylvania-New Jersey -Boundaries-Extent, &c.-Returns by Census of 1840Description of New York, Philadelphia, &c. III. Virginia -Maryland- Columbia-Delaware-Boundaries - Extent, &c.-Returns by Census of 1840-Description of Washington, Baltimore, Richmond, &c. IV. The Carolinas-Georgia -Alabama-Florida-Boundaries-Extent, &c.-Returns by Census of 1840-Description of Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, &c.-North-western States-Ohio-Indiana-Illinois -Michigan, &c.—Boundaries - Extent, &c. - Returns by Census of 1840-Description of Cincinnati, Detroit, &c.South-western States-Kentucky - Tennessee - Mississippi -Louisiana-Missouri-Arkansas, &c.-Boundaries-Extent, &c.-Returns by Census of 1840-Description of New Orleans, Louisville, Lexington, St Louis, &c.

ALL our preceding views of the United States have applied generally to the whole territory; but the reader must also desire to know something of its particular states and districts. A minute detail would be inconsistent with our limits, and likely to interest few persons in this country; but a survey, embracing the leading and most interesting features, may be comprehended within a moderate compass.