16 FISHES OF FANCY. 



Even men of science say that fish life is " silent, mono- 

 tonous, and joyless," though science itself contradicts 

 them, as I have already shown ; and seriously if it is 

 permissible to be serious over a whimsical theory if 

 the fish were to have things their own way for a while, 

 would they not with as much reason (if they argued 

 with as little sympathy) condemn terrestrial existence as 

 flat and dull ? They would pretend that our continents 

 were accidents of nature ; and as for our islands, that 

 they were merely warts and wens. The interruptions of 

 rock and sand, which now prevent their swimming every- 

 where, would be pronounced ridiculous good sea all run 

 to land. Some scientific fish would get up and point out 

 what circumscribed lives the things that went on legs had 

 to lead. There is neither height above nor depth beneath 

 in which they can disport ; and as for variety of landscape, 

 the land-folk could make but a poor show as compared 

 with the water-world. The limits within which variation 

 of life-forms are restricted on the earth would afford the 

 marine critic an excellent point against us, and he could 

 hit us very hard indeed when he came to ask us if we 

 had any animated vegetables. If, again, the fish were to 

 hold an Exhibition,* they would divide their sections 

 according to water-spaces and rivers, and not, as man 

 does, according to the geography of dry land ; while their 

 exhibits would possess such a thrilling interest for humanity 

 as nothing could surpass, except that apocalyptic solution 

 of all the world's mysteries at the Last Day when the sea 

 shall give up its dead. 



* See Appendix to Handbook. 



