An introduction to the study of fishes — John Shaqi
An introduction to the study of fishesGünther, Albert C. L. G. (Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf)
Science
An introduction to the study of fishes
Günther, Albert C. L. G. (Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf)
Fishes; Ichthyology
Unsurpassed in activity, as regards the exploration of the fish fauna
of the East Indian Archipelago, is _P. Bleeker_, a surgeon in the
service of the Dutch East Indian Government (born 1819, died 1878),
who, from the year 1840, for nearly thirty years, amassed immense
collections of the fishes of the various islands, and described them
in extremely numerous papers, published chiefly in the Journals of the
Batavian Society. When his descriptions and the arrangement of his
materials evoked some criticism, it must be remembered that, at the
time when he commenced his labours, and for many years afterwards,
he stood alone, without the aid of a previously named collection on
which to base his first researches, and without other works but that
of Cuvier and Valenciennes. He had to create for himself a method of
distinguishing species and of describing them; and afterwards it would
have been difficult for him to abandon his original method and the
principles by which he had been guided for so many years. His desire
of giving a new name to every individual, to every small assemblage
of species wherever practicable, or of changing an old name, detracts
not a little from the satisfaction with which his works would be
used otherwise. It is also surprising that a man with his anatomical
knowledge and unusual facilities should have been satisfied with the
merely external examination of the specimens. But none of his numerous
articles contain anything relating to the anatomy, physiology, or
habits of the fishes which came under his notice; hence his attempts
at systematic arrangement are very far from indicating an advance in
Ichthyology.
Soon after his return to Europe (1860) Bleeker commenced to collect the
final results of his labours in a grand work, illustrated by coloured
plates, “Atlas Ichthyologique des Indes Orientales Néerlandaises.”
(Amsterd. fol. 1862); the publication of which was interrupted by the
author’s death in 1878.
K.--_Africa._
1. _A. Günther_, “The Fishes of the Nile” in Petherick’s “Travels
in Central Africa.” (Lond. 1869, 8vo.)
2. _W. Peters_, “Naturwissenschaftliche Reise nach Mossambique.
IV. Flussfische.” (Berl. 1868, 4to.)
L.--_West Indies and South America._
1. _L. Agassiz_, “Selecta genera et species Piscium, quæ in
itinere per Brasiliam, collegit J. B. de Spix.” (Monach. 1829, fol.)
2. _F. de Castlenau_, “Animaux nouveaux ou rares, recueillis
pendant l’expedition dans les parties centrales de l’Amérique du Sud.
Poissons.” (Paris, 1855, 4to.)
3. _A. Günther_, “An account of the Fishes of the States of
Central America.” (In Trans. Zool. Soc. 1868.)
4. _L. Vaillant_ and _F. Bocourt_, “Mission scientifique au
Mexique et dans l’Amérique centrale. Poissons.” (Paris, 1874, 4to.) (In
progress.)
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