210 ANGLER. 



of an Angler which measured two feet and a half in length 

 was found a Codfish that measured two feet, and in the latter 

 were the skeletons of two ^Vhitings, within which again were 

 other small fishes. 



As this fish has on some occasions displayed a considerable 

 degree of apparently stupid indifference to fear, with remarkable 

 want of caution in avoiding danger, it has been concluded that 

 its powers of perception are in a low degree; and this opinion 

 is strengthened by noticing the small size of the brain in 

 comparison with the bulk of the body. It scarcely fills half the 

 chamber of the skull in which it lies, the remainder of the 

 space being occupied with water, as in other fishes; and it is 

 even said that this brain in bulk is but little above that of 

 a sparrow. The whole head also is regarded as being in a 

 condition of restricted or arrested development; for, as in most 

 animals, in their embryotic state the head is proportionally 

 larger in reference to the body than it continues to be in 

 the state of perfect development, it has been judged that its 

 existence in the magnitude we find it in the Angler, is a proof 

 of the small development also of its other powers. But the 

 abstract truth cannot be reached by such an analogy; and it 

 is to be questioned whether a comparison of the brain of this 

 fish with that of a sparrow be in any respect a just one. 



There are in all creatures nerves and portions of the brain 

 which are endued with special sensibility, — as that of seeing, 

 hearing, and tasting, — but in which the anatomist, with his 

 microscope, has not yet learnt to discern a different structure 

 from that Avhich is possessed by other nerves that are altogether 

 insensible to such, or indeed any other conscious sensations. 

 And again there exist creatures which, to all appearance, arc 

 guided by strong powers of reason in their animal actions, 

 whose brains are vastly smaller in size than that of the Angler. 

 The weight of the brain of the bulky fish and of the bird 

 may therefore be the same, but Ave know that their form, extent 

 of surface, and arrangement of parts are different, and it k 

 probable that the internal structure of the lobes is still more 

 so; as Ave know further is the expansion and ari-angement ol 

 the nerves of the external development of the organs of sen- 

 sation; in Avhich last particular indeed this fish excels a large 

 number of the other inhabitants of the sea. What appears to 



