216 Dr. Mac Culloch on the changing 
Sicilians, In the Lake Biviere, this fish is cultivated for the pur- 
pose of food, and because its quality is thus found to be improved. 
It is an important circumstance also, that the water is here such 
as would be supposed peculiarly offensive to fishes taken from the 
sea; as it lies ina marshy plain, and is such that the extent of 
the lake is twice as great in winter as in summer. Such water 
must be nearly putrid; and therefore the Mullet at least would 
probably live and thrive in any ditch or pond. 
As its quality is thus also found to be improved, it is plain 
that the report respecting the deterioration of the Guernsey Mul- 
lets is, at best, doubtful ; while it is equally probable, from this 
case, as well as that of Colonel Meynell’s Smelts, that the general 
effect would be to improve, instead of injuring, the flavour of the 
sea-fishes in general. 
Though here somewhat out of place, I may also notice, 
that Lobsters and Crabs are introduced into the same lake for 
similar purposes, where they are not only preserved but improve 
in flavour. It had been concluded, in England, that these animals 
could not be so cultivated, because an experiment made by Sir 
Charles Monck failed. We must probably attribute this to some 
accident ; as the Sicilian practice is of long standing, and has been 
confirmed through an unknown course of years. As to the im- 
provement of the flavour of the Lobsters and Crabs in this case, 
it is distinctly stated, and it confirms the general presumption that 
this would commonly be the result ; while another confirmation is 
found in the fact that Oysters acquire their good qualities only 
by residence in fresh water. Thus the Oysters of Portsmouth 
and elsewhere are transferred to Colchester; and if those which 
are called ‘“‘ Natives,” possess good qualities, it is because they 
are produced at the estuaries of rivers, where the water is con~ 
siderably fresh, as is the case with those of Milton. In’a similar 
way, Cockles and Muscles are perfectly worthless, except in 
analogous situations, as is equally the case with Periwinkles ; 
and it is known to every one, that the best Shrimps are those 
which are taken on the fresh and muddy shores of England. 
The Clupea Sprattus, or sprat,is well known to be taken in the fresh 
