CHOLIC-STONES FROM MAIGRE. 137 



surface of the cesoiihagus. This pLateau of oesophagal 

 weapons is composed of teeth, some long and pointed, 

 otliers very minute, feehng hke sand-paper to the touch. 

 The idea struck me that these teeth in the gullet might 

 possibly be the instruments by which the fish produces 

 his purring noise. Upon causing the room to be kept 

 perfectly quiet, and grating them together, a noise was 

 produced, reminding one forcibly of a mouse gnawing 

 at a board ; but most probably the fish in life could 

 sing his own song better than we could, and I believe 

 his teeth are musical instruments. 



By chiselling away the lower portion of the brain- 

 cavity, the ear-bones — the cholic- stones of the ancients 

 — can be discovered. "When these ear-bones are held 

 up to the light, they are a lovely wjiite mixed with an 

 opal tint. In outline they are very much like the head 

 of the Egyptian Sphinx, and a few touches of the pencil 

 will make them exactly like the Sphinx. 



MINNOW. 



Abdominales Malacopterygii. Cyprinida. 



(Ci/pnnus pJioxinus. Leuciscus phoxinus.) 



Local names: Baggie, Bagglt Banmj, Jack-barrel, Jack-Sharp, 

 Meaker, Meugy, Mennam, Mennad, Jlennard, Mennot, Men- 

 nous, Menuse, Minim, Minnis, 21innon, Minnoic, Minm, Peer, 

 Peuk, Pink, Shadbrid. French : Veron. German : Die 

 EIritze Pfrille 21aigrase, Rumpfen, and no less than twenty- 

 five other names. Danish : Elritse. Italian : Sanguinerola. 



The Minnow, though small, is a regular dandy, and 

 during his courting season is got up in the most gorgeous 

 style of uniform. Ladies who are clever with the paint 

 brush will find a novel and most resplendent model in 

 the minnow, but he will not keep his beautiful colours 

 very long. 



