^4 CECONOMY 



Fijhes inhabit cold waters, and moft of therti 

 have cold blood ; whence it happens that they 

 have not heat fufHcient to produce the fcetus. 

 l^he all-wife Creator therefore has ordained, 

 that moft of them fhould lay their eggs upon 

 the ftiore ; where, by means of the folar rays, 

 the water is warmer, and alfo fitter for that 

 purpofe % becaufe it is there lefs impregnated 

 Avith fait, and confequently milder i and alfo 

 becaufe water-infedts abound more there, which 

 afford the young fry a nourilhment. 



Salmons in the like manner, when they are 

 about to lay their eggs, are led by inftincl to 

 go up the ftream, where the water is frefh and 

 more pure. 



The butterfly fijh is an exception, for that 

 brings forth its fcetus alive. 



The fijhes of the oceaUy which cannot reach 

 the fliores by reafon of the diftance, are alfo 

 exempt from this law. The Author of nature 

 to this kind has given eggs that fwim ; fo that 

 they are hatched amidft the fwimming fucus^ 

 cdW^dfargazo, Flor. Zeilon. 389. 



, The cetaceous fifh have warm blood, and 

 therefore they bring forth their young alive, 

 and fuckle them with their teats. 



Many 



