THE MIND OF FISHES. 41 



of inquiry by observing that a noted fisher (a member of 

 this Association) is fully persuaded that a fish sees a fly 

 as a spider — and supposes it to be such. The deep 

 philosophy of this suggestion is apparent ; for the 

 question naturally arises, supposing that the fish takes a 

 fly for a spider, what would he take a spider for ? The 

 line of speculation thus opened up is absolutely infinite, 

 and it is clear that valuable knowledge of wonderful 

 possibilities would be evolved by diligent thought in this 

 direction. We may reasonably assume that, under the 

 conditions of aquatic life, a fish must see things under a 

 diff"erent light from that under which we see them, and 

 hence may have a peculiar series of primary ideas. The 

 pulsations of ether which, we are told, constitute the 

 declining light of the setting sun, and the melodies of the 

 musician all bring thoughts to us, or awaken them in us. 

 But we are conscious only of a small series of the ethereal 

 waves. What are the psychical effects of those vibrations 

 which are imperceptible to humanity, though possibly 

 sensible to other organized beings .-' 



The inquiry need not be restricted to physiological 

 examination and physical speculations. Much might be 

 inferred from facts coming within the range of human 

 observation. The writings of naturalists and anglers from 

 the remotest periods of ancient literature, down to these 

 modern days, would probably furnish many anecdotes of 

 the manifestation of intelligence by the denizens of the 

 watery world which would belong to the border domains 

 where analogies between their experiences and mental 

 processes, and our own, might be perceived. Such a 



