406 SILURIDE. 



organs of touch, by extending tlieiv influence beyond the 

 range of the shorter cirri of the lower lip. Fishes furnished 

 "with these oral appendages are known by their habits to 

 be ground-feeders ; and it may be mentioned, as affording 

 additional proof of certain powers or qualities supposed to be 

 possessed by such fishes, that Bloch says of this Silurus, it 

 seldom leaves its hole except during storms. Another writer 

 observes, that it lives long after being taken out of the Avater, 

 and comes up to the surface on the approach of stormy 

 weather. 



Searching Beckwit^s enlarged edition of Blount"'s Tenures, 

 I found those that here follow ; which, as they refer to fishes 

 or fishing, may be considered entitled to a place in this 

 work. 



" In the simplicity of older times, when gold and silver 

 were scarce, the household of the king Avas supported by 

 provisions furnished from his demesnes. By degrees the 

 servants here employed obtained a fixed tenure of the es- 

 tates, rendering certain services, and supplying certain provi- 

 sions. Many lands were from time to time granted on con- 

 dition of yielding such supplies ; but these reservations were 

 small, and many of them only to be rendered when the king 

 travelled into the country where the land lay. In some, 

 special care was taken that he should not make this service 

 burthen some by coming too often. 



^'■Aylesbury, — William, son of William of Alesbury, holds 

 three yard-lands of our lord the king in Alesbury, in the 

 county of Bucks, by the serjeanty of paying three Eels to 

 our lord the king, when he should come to Alesbury in 

 winter. 



" Conway Castle — Is now held of the crown by Owen Hol- 

 land, Esq. at the annual rent of six shillings and eight pence, 



