PISCES. 621 



mud and slime upon the shores, are deprived of such incurnbrances, and 

 clothed in a scaly or slippery covering more fitted to their habits, and 

 equally in accordance with the diminished temperature of their blood. 



(1662.) Still more remarkable is the effect of a mere exaltation of 

 animal heat upon the instincts and affections of the different races of 

 the YEETEBRATA. The fishes, absolutely unable to assist in the matura- 

 tion of their offspring, are content to cast their spawn into the water, 

 and remain utterly careless of the progeny to be derived from it. The 

 reptile, equally incapable of appreciating the pleasures connected with 

 maternal care, is content to leave her eggs exposed to the genial warmth 

 of the sun until the included young escape. But no sooner does the 

 vital heat of the parent become sufficient for the purposes designed by 

 Nature, than all the sympathies of parental fondness become developed, 

 all the delights connected with paternity and maternity are superadded 

 to other enjoyments ; and the bird, as she patiently performs the busi- 

 ness of incubation, or tenderly watches over her newly-hatched brood, 

 derives a pleasure from the performance of the duties imposed upon her, 

 second only to that enjoyed by the mammiferous mother, who from her 

 own breast supplies the nutriment prepared for the support of her infant 

 progeny. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



PISCES-FISHES. 



(1663.) To whatever portion of the animal world we turn our atten- 

 tion, we find the lowest and least-perfectly organized tribes to be in- 

 habitants of the water. To dwell upon the land necessarily demands no 

 inconsiderable share of strength and activity limbs sufficiently strong 

 to support the weight of the body, muscles possessed of great power 

 and energy of action, acute and vigilant organs of sense, and, moreover, 

 intelligence and cunning proportioned to the dangers or necessities con- 

 nected with a terrestrial existence. 



(1664.) The inhabitant of the waters, on the contrary, although less 

 highly gifted, may be fully competent to enjoy the position it is destined 

 to occupy. Being constantly buoyed up on all sides by a dense element, 

 it is easily supported at any required altitude without much muscular 

 effort ; but feeble limbs are needed to guide its path through the water, 

 and slight impulses suffice to impel it forward. Thus, therefore, in 

 Fishes we are prepared to expect, d priori, that, as far as strength and 

 compactness of structure are concerned, they will be found inferior to 

 other Vertebrata. 



