ANGLER. 211 



stand in the place of the olfactory portion of the brain exists 

 as a separate globe of nervous matter, distinct from the united 

 ganglions forming the true brain, although it is united to it 

 by a bar or string of nerve; and from this anterior globe 

 proceed some fine fibres which we should have described as 

 passing forward to the perforated elevations above the upper 

 jaw, Avhich we suppose to form the nostrils; but we hesitate 

 to say that these fibres are actually united to or expanded on 

 these processes, since Professor Owen, whose accuracy in 

 observation no one will question, has not been able to trace 

 them thither. These processes are also furnished, at their root 

 at least, with nerves of considerable size; but which are only 

 organs of feeling, as is the nervous trunk from which these 

 branches spring, and which conveys its powers of sensation 

 over the face and to the corner of the mouth, with the 

 neighbouring parts. As this nerve is the largest in the body, 

 except the nerve of sight, we may believe it to bestow the 

 functions of exquisite touch in a degree proportionate to its 

 superior size. 



There exists in this fish also, what perhaps we should least 

 expect to find in it, an organ of hearing, which it possesses 

 in a higher degree of development than in many other species. 

 It is true there is no external orifice by which undulations 

 causing sound can obtain access; but there is no reason to 

 suppose that any modulation of sound is felt by any true fish. 

 It is only a few varieties of noise or tone that is perceived 

 by them; and in this particular the Angler is at least equal 

 with the generality of the inhabitants of the ocean. 



But to the eye of this fish we would direct particular 

 attention, as in its structure we discern it to be better prepared 

 for variety of vision than is the case with the larger part of 

 bony fishes. The crystalline lens is large, by which means it 

 is able to take in a wide range of vision; while its situation, 

 far back in the chamber, and very near the retina or expanded 

 fibres of the nerve of sight, from which, by bringing the rays 

 of light to a short focus, the distance at which objects would 

 be seen must be small, is changed, and a larger extent of 

 perception secured by the compressing operation of the external 

 muscles of the eye-ball; the lens itself being thus driven 

 forward towards the front of the organ, where it is soft and 



