624 



Dr. Francis Day read a paper »On the Instincts and Emotions in Fish«. 

 He observes that during the last few years while biologists have given at- 

 tention to the faculties of many animals those of fish have received but scant 

 attention: even of late Cuvier's estimate of their total want of intelligence 

 is quoted as authentic by English authorities. The author endeavours to 

 combat this notion and proceeds to relate examples coming under his own 

 cognizance as well as quotes many writers in evidence of what may be re- 

 garded as piscine emotions and affections. He shows for instance they are 

 both monogamous and polygamous . construct peculiar nests , occasionally 

 carry about their eggs, protect and defend their young with great vigour, 

 often exhibit affection for one another, recognise human beings and can be 

 tamed, manifest fear, anger,, hatred and revenge, in certain instances they 

 utter sounds, they often have quite remarkable modes of defence and not 

 only hide themselves when danger warns but even betake themselves to the 

 bodies of other animals for protection, some leave the water for food and 

 lastly widely separated families will at times unite and form combinations for 

 attack and defence. Notwithstanding these and many other intelligent acts 

 fish as might be anticipated have not the reasoning faculties so acutely deve- 

 loped as in the other higher races of the Vertebrata. Still it would appear we 

 are justified in claiming for some of the finny tribe, that they have attach- 

 ments wether in the form of conjugal feeling, paternal and maternal affections 

 or else of platonic friendship. 



IV. Personal-Notizen. 



Australia. — New South Wales. 

 Sidney: Australian Museum. Curator: E. P. Ramsay. 

 (An der Universität existirt keine Professur für Zoologie od. Palaeontologie.) 



Victoria. 

 Melbourne: University. Fred. MacCoy, F. G.S., Professor of Natural 

 Science and Curator of the Museum, also Government Palaeontologist. 



South Australia. 

 Adelaide: University. RolphTate, Professor of Geology. 



The Museum. F. G. Waterhouse , F. G. S., Curator. 



Queensland. 



Brisbane. Museum: F. St ai g er, Curator. 



Tasmania. 

 Hobart Town. Museum: Dr. Agnew, Secretary. 



New Zealand. 



Auckland. Museum: T. Cheeseman, Curator and Secretary. 

 Wellington. Museum: Dr. James Hector, F.R.S., Director of the 



Geological Survey, Curator. 

 Christchurch. Museum: Dr. Jul. von Haast, F.R.S., Director. 

 Du ne din. Museum: Capt. H. Wollaston Hutton, Curator; Prof, of 

 Geology in the University. 



Druck yon Breitkopf und Härtel in Leipzig. 



