OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



331 



roides, were brought back to my mind with increased interest. The 

 correctness of the facts related by the great Stagirite respecting that 

 fish could no longer be doubted, as soon as it had been ascertained 

 that another member of the same family has habits so nearly similar 

 to those of the fish of Hellas. There was, moreover, a particular 

 charm in the prospect of confirming the reports of a philosopher of 

 classic Greece, by investigations made in a country so recently cov- 

 ered with the primitive forest, and roamed over by the native tribes of 

 Indians. I availed myself with eagerness, therefore, of the opportunity 

 afforded by Professor Felton's visit to Greece to obtain, if possible, fresh- 

 water fishes from that country, to ascertain by direct comparison what 

 the Glanis of Ai*istotle really is. Though I had no longer reason to 

 doubt the facts reported by the ancients respecting its mode of repro- 

 duction, I was not prepared to believe that Cuvier is correct in con- 

 sidering the Glanis as identical with the Silurus of Central and Eastern 

 Europe, even though the opinion expressed by Cuvier is that entertained 

 also by Pliny, and the naturalists of the Middle Ages ; * for I have been 

 acquainted with the Silurus from my boyhood ; I was brought up on 

 the shore of a lake where it is common, where fishing is practised'on 

 an extensive scale, and where I have myself spent weeks and months 

 in the delightful, lazy, and enticing pursuit; and yet I have never heard 

 nor seen anything respecting that Siluroid which could apply to the 

 Glanis of Aristotle. I wrote by Professor Felton a letter to my old 

 friend, Dr. Roeser, first physician to their majesties, the king and queen 

 of Greece, requesting him to spare no efforts in procuring for me fresh- 

 water fishes from that country, in the hope of thus obtaining the 

 means of ascertaining by actual inspection the true character of the 

 Glanis. Some time after, I received from Dr. Roeser a very fine 

 collection of well-preserved specimens from the Eurotas, the Ache- 



* ^lian (Nat. An. XII. 14) does not confound the two : " The Lagnis 

 (Glani.s) is found in the Mteander, the Lycus, and other Asiatic rivers, and 

 in Europe, in the Strymon ; and I'esembles the Sihirus in appearance. Of all 

 fishes it has the most natural affection for its young. AVhen the female has 

 laid her eggs, she is relieved of all care of the young, like one in childbed ; but 

 the male, taking his post as the guardian of his oft'spring, stands by them, keeping 

 off every assailant. He is capable even of swallowing a hook, as Aristotle re- 

 lates." 



Plniy (IX. 52), however, makes the mistake : " The male Silurus alone watches 

 the eggs when laid, often even fifty days, that they may not be destroyed by 

 others " ; — thus transferring Aristotle's description of the Glanis to the Silurus of 

 Central Europe. 



