SONGS WITHOUT WORDS. 189 



Ophidium are known to produce sounds by means of a curious chain 

 of bones connected to the air-bladder by muscles ; and the maigres 

 or umbrinas (Scicena aquila), one of the best known of Mediterranean 

 fishes, are, perhaps, more celebrated for their accomplishments in the 

 way of producing a drumming noise than in any other respect. Some 

 authorities have declared that the maigres produce flute-like notes, 

 and the sounds are said to be audible in twenty fathoms of water. 

 The male fishes alone make these noises, and Kingsley has recorded 

 that the fishermen of Rochelle find it possible to take them without 

 bait, by means of a skilful imitation of the noise. The drumfish 

 (Pogonias) of North American coasts obtains its name from the loud 

 and persistent noises it makes, and certain other fishes, belonging to 

 different species, imitate the latter fish in this respect. " To this 

 fish (P. chromis)" says Dr. Giinther in his recent work on " Fishes," 

 " more especially is given the name of ' drum/ from the extraordi- 

 nary sounds which are produced by it and other allied Scioenoids. 

 These sounds are better expressed by the word drumming than by 

 any other, and are frequently noticed by persons in vessels lying at 

 anchor on the coasts of the United States, where those fishes abound." 

 " It is still a matter of uncertainty," adds Dr. Giinther, " by what 

 means the 'drum' produces the sound. Some naturalists believe 

 that it is caused by the clapping together of the pharyngeal teeth, 

 which are very large molar teeth. However, if it be true that the 

 sounds are accompanied by a tremulous motion of the vessel, it 

 seems more probable that they are produced by the fishes beating 

 their tails against the bottom of the vessel in order to get rid of the 

 parasites with which that part of their body is infested." Dr. 

 Giinther's explanation of the production of the noise of the Pogonias 

 necessarily destroys any connection between that sound and the 

 mating instincts of these fishes. But in other cases, from the almost 

 universal absence of the sound-producing power in the female fishes, 

 we are forced to conclude that the faculty in question is used and 

 designed as a means of attracting the latter to their mates. 



Perched on a comfortable log of wood is a frog, surveying nature 

 with the placid stare of contentment which as a rule amphibians 

 preserve under the most trying circumstances of life. I know that 

 Mr. Rana Temporaria (as he is designated in scientific circles) possesses 

 a voice, but that he elects to let himself be heard, as a rule, only 

 when it suits himself. You may get round your frog, however, by an 

 ingenious physiological trick, much resembling the act of an unknown- 

 benefactor who knows you are bound to laugh when he tickles you 

 under the arms. Did you ever hear of Goltz's experiment of the 

 " Quak-versuch " ? No : then suppose that Mr. R. Temporaria 

 Clammyskin, as he sits before you, could be deprived of the front 

 lobes of his brain. The mechanism of the experiment is simple in the 



