131 



but such was not the case. He accounted for it by theii- being too numerous in 

 his springs, and the larger and stronger fish standing forward in the gentle stream 

 and first catching the small animalculce floating downwai-ds, in fact getting more 

 food than the others, and he considered the growth of fish, like other animals, 

 depended much on their supply of food, but not altogether so. Probably if 

 the smallest fish could have changed their ground for some nice little brook they 

 would have outgrown the larger sized ones there shown. 



His friend, Mr. Key, had brought there a magnificent microscope, 

 which would be the means of showing them how wonderfully and beauti- 

 fully made these little fish were, and they would be astonished at the 

 marvellous construction of the arteries and the circulation of the blood. 



Ulr. Key then put under the lens a new-bom salmon, and a more won- 

 derful sight could scarcely be submitted to the admiration of students of nature. 

 The tiny heart underneath the very jaws of the little fish was incessantly beating 

 in slow and regular throbs, while the blood was propelled along the arteries, 

 not in convulsive starts like the action of the heart, but in a gentle continuous 

 stream as from a jet d'cau, chiefly in one large torrent down the vertebri®, then 

 branching off in all directions through and around the fish. It was said the 

 pulsations were 70 in a minute, but they would probably be slower in a strong 

 fish, not fainting under a bright reflected light, and in a very small allowance of 

 water. It would be difficult to demonstrate so clearly and beautifully the cir- 

 culation of the blood in animals. The pectoral fins, incessantly moving, were 

 very beautiful objects, and indeed each and every constituent part necessary 

 to build up the frame of this "Monarch of the Flood," was a study in itself to 

 which many of the gentlemen present would have been delighted to devote the 

 entire evening. 'Where indeed is a work of the Creator which is not a study in 



itself? 



The best "object for the microscope was found to be one of the delicate little 



Ombre Chevalier, since they were naturally all but transparent in themselves. 



POSTSCEIPT. — Mr. Frank Buckland, H.M.'s Inspector of Fisheries, has 

 most kindly sent to LIr. Lloyd, on behalf of the "Wye Board of Conservators, 

 nearly 1,000 young Ehine salmon, for turning out into the river. The fish were 

 despatched in two large-sized paint kettles, by the 9.15 express from PaddLngton, 

 on Thursday, April 2, and thanks to quick railway transit Mr. Lloyd was enabled 

 to turn them out at 5 p.m. on the same day in the Wye at Glasbury. Only two 

 or three of the little fellows died en route, all the rest being quite brisk and 

 lively. When turned out in the shallow streams they instantly sought out 

 hiding places among the gravel. Our Wye salmon are in high repute, but this 

 introduction of Rhine fish cannot be otherwise than beneficial. The salmon of 

 that river run to great weight, and are in season very early in the year. We 

 hope that anglers will spare all salmon fry for the next year or two, and so 

 give this interesting experiment every chance of success. 



At the request of the President the following description was then given of 



a is 



