ON FISH. 19 



will endeavour to explain this to you. You 

 know that quadrupeds in general only have one 

 young at a time, while a fish will produce a 

 million ; and, indeed, it is calculated that a cod- 

 fish alone will put forth nine millions of eggs in 

 one year. Now it is evident, that if it were not 

 for these monsters, which open their enormous 

 mouths and throats and swallow the smaller fish 

 by hundreds, the ocean would soon be filled 

 with them, and there would scarcely be room 

 for other marine animals. Only think for one 

 moment how gregarious fish, such as mackerel, 

 herrings, &c., would increase and multiply if it 

 were not for your nets, and the predatory crea- 

 tures which feed upon them. Remember also 

 that He, whose tender mercies are over all His 

 works, has fitted the creatures thus exposed to 

 destruction for their fate ; and we may therefore 

 conclude that, being what are called cold- 

 blooded animals, they do not suffer from great 

 pain and anguish. The tremendous animals I 

 have referred to also devour all carcases, &c., 

 which may be found floating in the water, and 

 thus they serve to purify the ocean, as hyaenas 

 and vultures do upon earth. I will mention 

 another lesson which may be learnt from the 



