840 THE REASON WHY : 



&quot; Here s a very fat carp, shall we dress you a brace ? 

 Would you chuse any soles, or a mullet, or plaice?&quot; CAMBRIDGE. 



the deep die in any other manner than as prey to larger species, 

 they shall rise to the surface, and be presented as food to sea birds, 

 the scavengers of the sea. 



The bodies of fishes are always so near to the specific gravity of 

 wa,ter, that the slightest development of gases in their tissues, which 

 would arise from the first stage of decomposition, brings them 

 to the surface. 



1095. Why are bottom, or flat fishes, more commonly found 

 floating than others ? 



Because, being occupants of the bottom of the sea, their bodies 

 half sunk in the earth, and, concealed by the unity of their colour 

 with that of the bed upon which they lie, they are less liable to be 

 preyed upon than other fishes. 



The peculiar shape of their bodies is also a great protection to 

 them, since they cannot be swallowed whole, as is the case with 

 many fishes. 



Larger numbers of flat fish, therefore, may be supposed to die 

 from natural causes than is common with other species. Hence 

 they are more frequently found floating dead than other kinds 

 of fish. 



1096. VTny do soles swim upon their sides? 



Because their eyes are placed upon one side only, by which, 



being bottom fish, they are 

 able to lie upon the ground, 

 and look upward for their 

 prey. For a relative reason, 

 too, their upper sides are 

 dark, and of the colour of the 

 bed which they inhabit, while 

 their undersides are white. 



