ON FISH. 9 



the gills damp. Another small species of fish 

 is often seen travelling along a hot and dusty 

 road in Ceylon, under the mid-day sun, in 

 search of water. Extraordinary as these facts 

 may appear to you, they are perfectly well 

 vouched for; also, that a species of perch in 

 Ceylon, of a very peculiar formation, has been 

 seen to ascend trees, in search probably of some 

 food, insects most likely. 



Now, in hearing what I have to say to you, 

 I must request you to bear in mind that a Be- 

 nevolent Creator has endowed animals, fish in- 

 cluded, with that formation and those instincts 

 which are necessary for their self-preservation. 

 I will give you a proof of this which is familiar 

 to you. You know that many flat fish, soles, 

 turbot, &c., have brown and white surfaces. 

 When they are attacked by other fish which 

 prey on them, they remain flat on the white 

 surface of their skins, showing only the brown 

 surface, which is generally the colour of the 

 sands on which they feed; and thus they es- 

 cape the observation of their enemies. So it 

 will be found to be all through Nature. Every 

 animal is furnished with either some means of 

 escape, of defence, or of cunning. Some are 



