MILL CREEK. 213 



member that this impression means that the fishes be- 

 hind have changed their course, then I can agree with 

 my critic; but then what of those very young fishes 

 who have had no experience ? 



A repetition of the experiment with five shot showed 

 me quite conclusively that these little fish cannot be 

 fooled indefinitely by such means. After a reasonable 

 amount of patient waiting for the falling shot to prove 

 its vitality, the darters become satisfied that it is inani- 

 mate, and pay no further attention to it. Here we have 

 a genuine exhibition of the operations of " experience," 

 and a proof that if fish may be temporarily fooled they 

 are not necessarily foolish. 



My second experiment ended rather curiously. Re- 

 membering having noticed in a meadow-pool vast num- 

 bers of water -fleas, I left my boat and proceeded to 

 gather a quantity. Returning, I inverted the glass jar 

 with its indefinite thousands of fleas, and when it was 

 nearly at the bottom of the creek, removed the cover 

 and pulled up the jar. Immediately all the darters 

 were wild with excitement, and whirled about in the 

 most remarkable manner, and then, before I could ascer- 

 tain any reason for so doing, suddenly vanished. I was 

 thoroughly astonished, until I saw a pair of voracious 

 turtles rooting up the mud where the busy darters had 

 been. These carnivorous creatures had seen the com- 

 motion, and either desired to be guests at the darters' 

 feast or to dine off the fish. Either case would doubt- 

 less have pleased the turtles. Where the fish hid them- 

 selves so quickly and effectually I could not ascer- 

 tain. 



