18 Dr. Mac Culloch's further Remarks 



well-known French artist whose picturesque work on this coast 

 is familiar, though his name has at this moment escaped me. It 

 is somewhat unfortunate that this had not been a more specific 

 object of inquiry, as the names of the fishes are not given ; and 

 on searching Fort is for this purpose, I have not discovered what 

 I wished. 



The other case is the reverse of this ; and though the authority 

 in Phillips's Collection of Travels may not be very highly esteemed, 

 there is no reason to doubt the simple assertion of any traveller 

 respecting a well-known matter of fact, and a practice familiar 

 to the natives ; particularly when narrated among other casual 

 things, and without conclusions. It is a salt lake at the Cape de 

 Verde, which is inhabited promiscuously by marine fish and by 

 those of the neighbouring rivers. Here also, unfortunately, no 

 names are given ; so that that case can be added only in support 

 of the general principle. 



The last fact to be here placed, is the one which I proposed to 

 quote for the purpose of keeping the evidence as much as possible 

 together. It is the discovery of the Cockle, or Cardium edule of 

 Linnaeus, in a living state, under a peat moss, near Greta bridge, 

 about two mile's from the river Tees, and forty miles from the sea. 

 The fact is recorded by Mr. Stark, but belongs to Mr. Witham ; 

 and confirming what I had occasion to say formerly respecting 

 other shell fishes, will also prove that, if cockles were worth cul- 

 tivating, they might be bred anywhere in land, where sand and 

 fresh water exist. 



I wish now that those who know Naples, would determine 

 whether the common oyster is really there a native of fresh- water 

 lakes, and fished for common use. So it has positively been as- 

 serted to me, by more than one traveller ; whereas on examining 

 others, it has been as positively contradicted. Thus difficult is it 

 to extract truth from those who are not in the habit of accurate 

 observation. Be it true, it might possibly tempt those who pre- 

 fer oysters to opposition, to cultivate them in their lakes; be it 

 true or false, as to Naples, I have little doubt that this is prac- 

 ticable. 



