216 Dr. Mac Culloch on the changing 



Sicilians. In the Lake Biviere, this fish is cultivated for the pur- 

 pose of food, and because its quality is thus found to be improved. 

 It is an important circumstance also, that the water is here such 

 as would be supposed peculiarly offensive to fishes taken from the 

 sea ; as it lies in a marshy plain, and is such that the extent of 

 the lake is twice as great in winter as in summer. Such water 

 must be nearly putrid ; and therefore the Mullet at least would 

 probably live and thrive in any ditch or pond. 



As its quality is thus also found to be improved, it is plain 

 that the report respecting the deterioration of the Guernsey Mul- 

 lets is, at best, doubtful ; while it is equally probable, from this 

 case, as well as that of Colonel Meynell's Smelts, that the general 

 effect would be to improve, instead of injuring, the flavour of the 

 sea-fishes in general. 



Though here somewhat out of place, I may also notice, 

 that Lobsters and Crabs are introduced into the same lake for 

 similar purposes, where they are not only preserved but improve 

 in flavour. It had been concluded, in England, that these animals 

 could not be so cultivated, because an experiment made by Sir 

 Charles Monck failed. We must probably attribute this to some 

 accident ; as the Sicilian practice is of long standing, and has been 

 confirmed through an unknown course of years. As to the im- 

 provement of the flavour of the Lobsters and Crabs in this'case, 

 it is distinctly stated, and it confirms the general presumption that 

 this would commonly be the result ; while another confirmation is 

 found in the fact that Oysters acquire their good qualities only 

 by residence in fresh water. Thus the Oysters of Portsmouth 

 and elsewhere are transferred to Colchester ; and if those which 

 are called " Natives," possess good qualities, it is because they 

 are produced at the asstuaries of rivers, where the water is con- 

 siderably fresh, as is the case with those of Milton. In a similar 

 way, Cockles and Muscles are perfectly worthless, except in 

 analogous situations, as is equallly the case with Periwinkles ; 

 and it is known to every one, that the best Shrimps are those 

 which are taken on the fresh and muddy shores of England. 

 Th Clupea Sprattus, or sprat,is well known to be taken in the fresh 



