OF SELBORNE. 367 



to remark what passed within its narrow limits. It 

 was here that I first observed the manner in which 

 fishes die. As soon as the creature sickens, the head 

 sinks lower and lower, and it stands as it were on its 

 head ; till, getting weaker, and losing all poise, the tail 

 turns over, and at last it floats on the surface of the 

 water with its belly uppermost. The reason why fishes, 

 when dead, swim in that manner is very x>bvious ; be- 

 cause, when the body is no longer balanced by the fins 

 of the belly, the broad muscular back preponderates by 

 its own gravity, and turns the belly uppermost, as lighter 

 from its being a cavity, and because it contains the 

 swimming-bladders, which contribute to render it 

 buoyant. Some that delight in gold and silver fishes 

 have adopted a notion that they need no aliment. True 

 it is that they will subsist for a long time without any 

 apparent food but what they can collect from pure 

 water frequently changed ; yet they must draw some 

 support from animalcula, and other nourishment sup- 

 plied by the water ; because, though they seem to eat 

 nothing, yet the consequences of eating often drop from 

 them. That they are best pleased with such jejune diet 

 may easily be confuted, since if you toss them crumbs 

 they will seize them with great readiness, not to say 

 greediness : however, bread should be given sparingly, 

 lest, turning sour, it corrupt the water. They will also 

 feed on the water-plant called Lemna, (duck's meat), 

 and also on small fry. 



When they want to move a little they gently protrude 

 themselves with their pinnce pectorales ; but it is with 

 their strong muscular tails only that they and all fishes 

 shoot along with such inconceivable rapidity. It has 

 been said that the eyes of fishes are immoveable : but 

 these apparently turn them forward or backward in 

 their sockets as their occasions require. They take 

 little notice of a lighted candle, though applied close to 

 their heads, but flounce and seem much frightened by a 

 sudden stroke of the hand against the support whereon 



