Excerpt from Goldsmith's History of Fishes, Reptiles, Insects &C: With Numerous Original Notes, &C. &C As most animals that live upon land are furnished with a covering to keep off the in juries Of the weather, so all that live in the water are co vered with a slimy glutinous matter, that, like a sheath, defends their bodies from the immediate contact Of the sur rounding fluid. This sub stance may be considered as a secretion from the pores of the animal's body; and serv ing not only to defend, but to assist the fish's easy progress through the water. Beneath this, in many kinds, is found a strong covering of scales, that, like a coat of mail, de fend it still more powerfully; and under that, before we come to the muscular parts Of the body, an Oily substance, which supplies the requisite warmth and vigour. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Goldsmith's History of the Earth and Animated Nature, Abridged: Containing the Natural History of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, and Insects T H E World may be considered as one large mans sion, where man is permitted to enjoy the works of Nature, and to admire the Hand which called it into life. Blest with talents, and endowed with sense, he feels himself the lord of earth's domain but, whilst he contemplates the superiority of his station, he 15 apt to forget from whom It. Is derived. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.