FISHES. 335 
have noticed, constructs a flat nest something like the magpie’s. 
This, however, is only the roof, for the real nest is in the centre 
of the structure, a hole being left for the entrance of the fish. 
When the natives wish to catch the fish, they surround the 
nest with a net, then tap it; the hassar, enraged at the dis- 
turbance, bristles his spines, darts out, and is caught. The male 
fish shows much affection even for the eggs before they are 
hatched, and consequently before they exhibit any signs of life. 
It is said that the tittlebat, after having defended his nest and 
its eggs, undertakes the protection of the young progeny, just 
as a hen looks after her chickens. 
The Pzpe-fish (Syngnathus acus) presents a still more remark- 
able instinct. Beneath the tail of the male fish are two soft 
projections, so close together that they form a pouch. In this 
are deposited the eggs of the female. Thus in this remarkable 
fish the eggs are submitted to a process of incubation. When 
the young are hatched they follow their father, and whenever a 
danger threatens they seek protection in the pouch, like the young 
kangaroos, only the marsupials fly to their mother, not their father. 
We can hardly believe Plutarch when he says that the shark 
takes as much care of its young as any living creature. He 
asserts that the parents even dispute who shall feed, and teach 
their offspring to swim, and when an enemy bears down upon 
them, the little creatures retreat for protection into the mouth of 
the parent. Happily, the historian’s account of the habits of the 
shark do not affect his credibility when he describes the habits 
and lives of great men. 
The sea is full of treasures which she gives out of her ample 
bosom to the inhabitants of her shores. With fishing lines, nets, 
drags, and numberless implements, the denizens of the ocean world 
are secured. No laws are made to regulate the pillage, and a 
source of great wealth is permitted to be abused. Many millions 
of fish and crustaceans are yearly caught, which are either too 
small for use, or are perhaps gravid with spawn, and thus a reckless 
waste of a valuable commodity goes on. Our French neighbours 
are alive to the evil, and are engaged in finding a remedy, in 
framing restrictive laws, which may regulate the taking of fish, 
