218 THE FACULTIES OF FISH. 



with, each other, and considered in relation to the 

 part in the great drama of life which they are 

 called on to perform. The naturalist, however, 

 would repudiate the term f inferiority ' as applied 

 to the structure and organization of the fish a 

 sentiment in which we feel sure that the disciple 

 of Walton will heartily concur ; it is, in truth, 

 simplicity, so far as the rest of the animal kingdom 

 is concerned perfection, in relation to its own 

 position in the grand scheme of animated nature. 



The faculties of the fish which depend on the 

 nervous system are. Intellect, Sensation, Motion, 

 and the special senses of Sight, Hearing, Smell, 

 Taste. Each of these faculties is presided over 

 by a known part of the nervous system, such part 

 being the material instrument by which the power 

 is generated and directed. Hence a pretty correct 

 inference with regard to amount of faculty may 

 be deduced from structure alone, that is, from an 

 examination of the size and qualities of the in- 

 strument; but, when to the information thus 

 obtained we add the further knowledge which 

 observation of the habits and instincts of these 

 animals contribute, we find ourselves in possession 

 of ample evidence whereon to frame a correct 

 and sufficient j udgment. 



The Intellect of animals resides in the brain, 

 in a part of the brain termed the hemispheres ; 

 and these organs always bear an exact proportion 



