38 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATERS. 



an ounce of saltpetre, the membrane in which the spawn is 

 contained being carefully picked out ; it is then packed in 

 jars and covered closely; in that way it will keep good for 

 many months. 



It is suggested that roe of other fishes would do as well as 

 that of salmon such as herrings, because the smell, which 

 seems the chief attraction, is quite similar. A paste made in 

 the same way from shelled shrimps is also attractive. Mus- 

 sels and putrid meat attract eels, obviously in consequence 

 of their odor. 



Independently of these and all other ascertained facts re- 

 specting smell in fishes, the anatomy of the head proves that 

 the nerves of smell are large, and thus establish conclusively 

 the fact that fishes are gifted with the sense of smell. 



SECTION SEVENTH. 



ON HEARING IN FISHES. 



Fishes hear. Of this I feel quite sure, without the story 

 of Amphion and the Dolphins, or of the auld Scottish harper 

 Glenkindie, who as related in verse " harped a fish out o' 

 the sa't water." 



^Elian tells us that the chad is allured by the sound of 

 castanets, and in Germany they take these fishes with nets 

 to which bows of wood hung with little bells are attached 

 in such manner as to chime in harmony when the nets are 

 moved. These fish, it is stated, will not attempt to escape 

 while the bells continue to ring. On the Continent of Eu- 

 rope people are in the habit of calling the gold fishes, as well 

 as other fishes in ponds, to be fed at the sound of a bell. 



Professor Bradley states that in Rotterdam, at a preserve 

 of carps owned by Mr. Eden, he saw them fed. " The gen- 

 tleman having filled his pocket with spinach-seed, conducted 

 me to the side of the moat, where we stood mute for some 

 time, the better to convince me that the fish would not come 

 until called. At length he called in his usual way, and im- 

 mediately the fish gathered together from all parts of the 



