second day.] BREEDING OF FISH. 75 



the same confined quantity of "water, containing a few 

 confervas ; and their ova and milt increased in the 

 same manner, as if they had been in their natural 

 situation. 



ORN. — I conclude from your statements, Halieus, 

 that nothing more is required for the production of 

 fishes from impregnated eggs, than a constant supply 

 of water of a certain temperature furnished with air ; 

 and of course the same principles will apply to fishes 

 of the sea. 



HAL. — There can be no doubt of it : and fishes in 

 spawning time always approach great shallows, or 

 shores covered with weeds, that, in the process of 

 their growth, under the influence of the sunshine, 

 constantly supply pure air to the water in contact 

 with them. 



POIET. — In every thing belonging to the economy 

 of nature, I find new reasons for wondering at the 

 designs of Providence, — at the infinite intelligence by 

 which so many complicated effects are produced by 

 the most simple causes. The precipitation of water 

 from the atmosphere, its rapid motion in rivers, 

 and its falls in cataracts, not only preserve this 

 element pure, but give it its vitality, and render it 

 subservient even to the embryo life of the fish ; and 

 the storms which agitate the ocean, and mingle it 

 with the atmosphere, supply at once food to marine 



