FISHES. 53 



1. They may have been left after the retreat of 

 the waters of the general deluge. 



2. The ova of fishes may have been drawn into 

 the atmosphere with exhalations, and conveyed 

 to a great distance. 



3. Dead fishes may have been accidentally 

 dropt into those waters by birds of prey, and on 

 the decomposition of their bodies, the contained 

 ova may have produced fish. 



4. It is well known that whirlwinds catch up 

 water, and carry away with it at the same time, 

 fishes, to an amazing distance. Great shoals of 

 herrings have been found on the highest mountains 

 oftheFeroe Islands. 



5. Aquatic birds convey the ova of fishes taken 

 in as food to different places. 



The vast fecundity of fishes is astonishing. 

 Their powers of production transcend their pow- 

 ers of destruction. A single ovary of the large 

 cod has been known to contain nine millions of 

 eggs. 



I expect great changes from the junction of the 

 western and eastern waters on the subject offish. 

 Already have several kinds penetrated through 

 the canal at Rome into the Mohawk river. 



1 . The pickerel of the western lakes has made 

 "his appearance there. 



