HEARING IN FISHES. 41 



have already fed to repletion, and, from being 

 indifferent about further rising, are the more dif- 

 ficult to be deceived. Some affirm that, in this 

 case, the application to the artificial fly of a small 

 portion of a worm or fly, or of any other substance 

 composing the food of trout, will often, from its 

 emission of odour, induce the fish to seize the 

 previously rejected bait. We know, also, that 

 rhodium, oil of aniseed, assafoetida, and other 

 aromatics, are said to possess marvellously attrac- 

 tive properties, and to be in frequent use by many 

 ultra "cannie" craftsmen. We are not at all 

 inclined, however, to apply this knowledge to 

 any practical purpose piscatorially speaking 

 though we presume not to say that it is equally 

 unworthy the attention of the naturalist. 



Although anatomical observation has proved 

 the existence of the organs of hearing in most 

 species of fish, there can be no question that, as 

 affecting his sport, the angler need be under no 

 concern about them. The result of numerous 

 experiments with fire-arms and otherwise has con- 

 firmed us in the opinion which our own experience 

 had long before induced. Who ever dreamed of 

 imputing his piscatory success to the observance 

 of taciturnity, admirable quality though it be 

 a quality of which we would not say a syllable in 



