2<> A HISTORY OF 



at some seasons more bony than at others ; but this scarce requires 

 contradiction. It is true indeed, that fish are at some seasons much 

 fatter than at others; so that the quantity of the flesh being diminish- 

 ed, and that of the bones remaining the same, they appear to increase 

 in number, as they actually bear a greater proportion. 



All fish of the same kind, as was said, have the same number of 

 bones : the skeleton of a fish, however irregularly the bones may fall 

 in our way at table, has its members very regularly disposed; and 

 every bone has its fixed place, with as much precision as we find in the 

 orders of a regular fabric. But then spinous fish differ in the num- 

 ber of bones according to the species ; for some have a greater num- 

 ber of fins by which they move in the water. The number in each 

 is always in proportion to the number and size of these fins : for 

 every fish has a regular apparatus of bones and muscles, by which 

 the fins are moved ; and all those fish where they are numerous or 

 large, must, of consequence, be considerably bony. Indeed, in the 

 larger fish, the quantity of flesh is so much, and the bones themselves 

 are so large, that they are easily seen and separated ; but in the small- 

 er kinds with many fins, the bones are as numerous as in the great ; 

 yet being so very minute, they lurk in almost every part of the flesh, 

 and are dangerous as well as troublesome to be eaten. In a word, 

 those fish which are large, fat, and have few fins, are found to be 

 the least bony ; those which are small, lean, and have many fins, are 

 the most bony of all others. Thus, for instance, a roach appears 

 more bony than a carp, because it is leaner and smaller ; and it is 

 actually more bony than an eel, because it has a greater number of 

 fins. 



As the spinous fish partake less of the quadruped in their forma- 

 tion than any others, so they can bear to live out of their own element 

 a shorter time. In general, when taken out of the water, they testify 

 their change by panting most violently and at closer intervals, the 

 thin air not furnishing their gills the proper play; and in a few mi- 

 nutes they expire. Some indeed are more vivacious in air than others ; 

 the eel will live several hours out of water ; and the carp has been 

 known to be fattened in a damp cellar. The method is by placing it 

 in a net well wrapped up in wet moss, the mouth only out, and then 

 hung up in a vault. The fish is fed with white bread and milk ; and 

 the net now and then plunged into the water. The animal, thus ma- 

 naged, has been known not only to live for a fortnight, but to grow 

 exceedingly fat and of a superior flavour. From this it would seem 

 that the want of moisture in the gills, is the chief cause of the death 

 of these animals ; and could that be supplied, their lives might be 

 prolonged in the air almost as well as in their own element. 



Yet it is impossible to account for the different operations of the 

 same element upon animals, that, to appearance, have the same con- 

 formation. To some fishes, bred in the sea, fresh water is instant de- 

 struction : on the other hand, some fishes, that live in our lakes and 

 ponds, cannot bear the salt water. Whence this difference can arise, 

 is not easily to be accounted for. The saline quality of the water 

 cannot properly be given as the cause ; since no fishes imbibe any of 

 the sea's sahness with their food, or in respiration. The flesh of all 

 fishes is equally fresh, both in the river, and in the saltest depths of 



