Hearing 311 



unusual condition exists above, more particularly 

 if the rod is in action. This intuition in the fish 

 is not more extraordinary than that inspiring 

 some old anglers, especially those of salt water, 

 " to strike " when there is no indication of " the 

 pluck " of the fish at the bait. Something unac- 

 countable, yet felt, is going on down in the depths, 

 perhaps a slight touch of the reel line by a pass- 

 ing fish or the gentle mouthing of the lure, with- 

 out strain or movement, by a surfeited fish the 

 rodster knows not what, but a turn of the wrist is 

 made and the scaly one boated. 



Although the organ of hearing in fishes is but 

 imperfectly developed anatomically, its acuteness 

 is much more marked than that of sight, but only 

 through the water as a medium, and then only by 

 concussion on the surface of it. Boisterous singing 

 or loud talking, the volume of which is diffused 

 in the air, does not alarm fishes ; but the slightest 

 disturbance, stamping of the feet or dropping an 

 oar on the bottom of the boat, will agitate and 

 drive them from their feeding-grounds. They do 

 not seem to be affected by noises originating in 

 the water, for you can knock two heavy stones 

 against each other under the water, and the trout 

 remain placid and continue their feeding; yet 



