338 THE NEW FISH. CHAP. xvi. 



and one not to be lost, I took a considerable number, 

 not with the intention of destroying the beautiful 

 little creatures as beautiful they truly are, but for 

 the purpose of ascertaining how they now stood as to 

 size. Being satisfied as to this, I committed the most 

 of them again to their native element, and right glad 

 they were to be set once more at liberty. I found 

 that, although late in the season, they had not in any 

 way increased in bulk, as compared with those which 

 were taken in spring. From this important and op- 

 portune circumstance, too, it is now my firm and 

 decided belief that their average length does not ex- 

 ceed an inch. It would seem that they are a deep- 

 water fish, and, herring-like, only visit the shore 

 occasionally. Like that fish, too, they are gregarious 

 that is, they go in small shoals. They seem to be 

 about the fleetest, most active, and most vigilant of 

 the finny tribes. Besides what I observed in the sea 

 itself, I kept a number of them alive, placed in the 

 window before me when at work, so that I had both 

 the pleasure as well as the satisfaction of observing 

 their habits at my leisure ; and I was well repaid for 

 my time and patience." 



So soon as this discovery became known to the 

 scientific world, numerous inquiries were made to 

 Edward for specimens of the " New Fish ;" and 

 amongst others, Dr. Gray sent for some specimens 

 for the Home Department of the British Museum. 



Edward continued to ply Mr. Couch with new 



