158 HISTORY OF FISH. 



confider the numbers that a (ingle fim is capable of 

 producing, the amount will feem aftonifhing. 



Among other writers* Mr. Harmer hath invefti- 

 gateci this fubject with uncommon attention ; and 

 tHe following table gives the refult of his enquiries. 

 The weights he ufed were avoirdupoife, and he 

 reckoned 437 -|- grains to an ounce. See Phil. 

 Tranf. vol. 57, for 1767, art. xxx, page 280. 



April 4. 

 Dec. 23. 



Mar. 14. 



oa. 25. 



Aug. 1 1. 

 June 18. 

 April 5. 

 April 25. 



May 12. 

 May 2. 

 May 3. 

 Feb. 2u 

 June 13. 

 May 28. 



Such an amazing increafe, if permitted to come 

 to maturity, would over-flock nature, and even the 

 ocean itfelf would not be able to contain, much lefs 

 to provide for the half of its inhabitants, But two 

 wife purpofes are anfwered by this amazing increafe -, 

 it preferves the fpecies in the midfl of numberlefs 

 enemies, and ferves to furniih the reft with a fufte- 

 nance adapted to their nature. 



All fifhes, except the whale kind, are entirely di- 

 veiled of thofe parental folicitudes which fo ftrongly 

 mark the manner of the more perfecl: terreflrial ani- 

 mals. 



