An introduction to the study of fishes

Original publication  1880The scope of the present work is to give in a concise form an
account of the principal facts relating to the structure, classification,
and life-history of Fishes. It is intended to meet the requirements of
those who are desirous of studying the elements of Ichthyology; to
serve as a book of reference to zoologists generally; and, finally, to
supply those who, like travellers, have frequent opportunities of
observing fishes, with a ready means of obtaining information. The
article on “Ichthyology,” prepared by the late Sir J. Richardson for the
eighth edition of the “Encyclopædia Britannica,” is the only publication
which has hitherto partly satisfied such requirements; and when I
undertook, some years ago, to revise, or rather rewrite that article for
the new edition of that work, it occurred to me that I might at the same
time prepare a Handbook of Ichthyology, whilst reserving for the
article an abstract so condensed as to be adapted for the wants of
the general reader