154 BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



fills up the whole circle of their pursuits, and that a 

 ceaseless desire of food seems to be their ruling im- 

 pulse, yet we are not to consider Fishes as insulated 

 creatures, unconnected with the general concerns 

 and affairs of the world ; as merely formed for the 

 propagation of their kind, and to " pursue and be pur- 

 sued, each other's prey." No; these also act an impor- 

 tant and most essential part in the great theatre of the 

 universe; and woe be to the inhabitants of the earth, 

 did multitudes of fishes not abound in its waters. 

 We have already had occasion to notice the neces- 

 sity of a speedy decomposition of the parts of putres- 

 cent bodies on land? and notwithstanding the saline 

 quality of its waters and perpetual agitation which 

 prevents them for a time, the bad effects of such ac- 

 cumulated loads of filth and nastiness, as are conti- 

 nually pouring into the sea, must soon be apparent, 

 were it not for those numerous herds of fishes, which 

 in every quarter glide with rapidity through the li- 

 quid expanse, and catch and devour almost every 

 thing of a digestible nature that comes in the way. 

 For this purpose, that amazing fecundity may have 

 been bestowed upon them, and for this purpose, 

 those voracious appetites given, that, however re- 

 mote the situation, or disgusting the substance, that 

 enters the watery element, it might quickly meet an 

 eye eager to catch it, and a living tomb to swallow 

 and strip it of its noxious qualities. 



As an article of food the finny tribes are greatly 

 to be prized, and it is matter of thankfulness, that 

 the benefits they impart are most extensively diffus- 



