FISHES. 



27 



might prove extremely dangerous to it. Yet it 

 gradually approached the hook, took it delicately 

 up, and the next instant dropped it over the 

 edge of the bed."* 



Some other examples of parental care and fore- 

 sight have been lately brought under the attention 

 of naturalists, which will be noticed in the follow- 

 ing pages. The subject is one of great interest, 

 and would probably repay careful observation with 

 many facts hitherto unsuspected in this extensive 

 but comparatively little-known Class of Vertebrate 

 animals. 



Mr. Jesse, in his " Gleanings," has given the 

 following Table, showing the different degrees of 

 fecundity in different species of Fishes. 



Name of Fisli. 



Carp 



Cod 



Flounder 



Herring 



IVIackerel 



Perch 



Pike 



Roach 



Smelt 



Sole 



Tench 



Number of 



Eggs. 



205,109 



3,686,760 



1,357,400 



36,960 



546,681 

 28,323 

 49,304 

 81,586 

 38,278 



100,362 



383,252 



Fishes are capable of feeling att^ichment for 

 each other. The pleasing writer just cited, " once 

 caught a female Pike during the spawning season, 

 and nothing could drive the male away from the 

 spot at which the female had disappeared, whom 



* Orn. Biog. iii. 50. 



