COMMENTARY. For an account of the σελάχη, or cartilaginea, see Aristotle (H. A. v); Pliny (H. N. ix, 40); Oppian (Halieut, i); Ælian (N. A. xi, 37.) Galen says that they are called σελάχη from σέλας ἔχειν, because their flesh had a shining appearance at night. He states that they are moderately nutritious. He remarks, that the parts about the tail of such fishes are more fleshy than the middle. According to Athenæus, the cartilaginous fishes in general are flatulent, fleshy, of difficult digestion, and, if eaten in great quantity, blunt the sight. (Deipnos. viii.) Dr. Coray says that the French call the Ῥίνη ange or angelot, the Βάτος raie bouclée or cavellade, the Λειόβατος raie miralet, the Νάρκη torpille or raie torpille, and the Τρυγὼν pastinaque. Harduin gives them nearly the same French names. We are inclined to refer the ῥίνη to the _squalus squatina_ L. monk or angel-fish: the βατὶς and λειόβατὶς to the _raia batis_ and _raia varia_, two species of skate; the νάρκη to the _raia torpedo_ or cramp-fish; and the τρυγὼν to the _raia pastinaca_ L. or fire-flair. SECT. XCIV.—ON THE CETACEA, OR LARGE FISHES. The cetacea, such as the whales, seals, balance-fish, dolphin, and great tunnies, have hard and indigestible flesh, containing thick juices. When pickled, they are more moderately so. And of the other fishes, those which are most humid and excrementitious are most fitted for pickling; but there is the same difference in pickles as in the fishes from which they are formed. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Under the class cetacea (κῆτος), the ancient naturalists ranked all the large fishes, such as the whale, the dolphin, the shark, &c. Aristotle was aware that the class called _plagiuri_ by Artedi, comprehending the whale, the dolphin, &c. are viviparous, and have lungs like quadrupeds, instead of gills like fishes. The balæna of the Greeks was a species of physeter, or cachelot. Galen states that the flesh of all the cetacea in its recent state is excrementitious, but when pickled becomes more attenuate, and easier converted into blood. He gives them, in short, the same characters as our author does.