255 



CHAPTER III, 



OF FISHES. 



j. The number of Fishes. 



2. Their Covering. 10. Experiments on Fish. 



3. Their Brain. 11. Of Shell-Fish. 



4. Organs of Sense: 12. Of the Generation of Fishes. 



5. Gills or Lungs: 13. Of some particular Sorts of 



6. Heart : Fishes. 



7. Air-Bladder: 14. General Reflections, 



8. Stomach: 



T, 



HE ocean is the great receptacle of fishes. It has 

 been thought by some, that all fishes are naturally of the 

 salt element, and that they have mounted up into fresh, 

 water by some accidental migrations. A few still swim, 

 up rivers |to deposit their spawn ; but the great body 

 of fishes, of which the size is enormous, and the shoals 

 endless 5 keep to (he sea, and would expire in fresh 

 water. In that extensive and undiscovered abode, 

 millions reside, whose manners are a secret to us, and 

 whose very form is unknown. The curiosity of man- 

 kind, indeed, has drawn some from their depths, and 

 his wants many more. With the figure of these at 

 least he is acquainted : but for their pursuits, societies, 

 antipathies, pleasures, times of gestation, and manner 

 of bringing forth these, all are hidden in the turbu'e.at 

 element that protects them. 



