140 



Of Bullies in the Water. 



Nothing is more common than to see bubbles rise from 

 the bottom, to the surface of the water : these very often 

 will be found to have intervals nearly regular > in which 

 case, we may perhaps safely attribute them to the air 

 discharged by various fishes, that lie in the mud or sand. 

 Eels and muscles may sometimes be seen to throw up 

 such bubbles j the former having only their heads out, 

 and die latter being nearly buried. 



Air will also be thrown up in this manner by the dis- 

 solution of lumps of clay, chalk, &:c. j which being 

 gradually penetrated by the water, discharge the air they 

 contain. This will be easily proved, by throwing in a 

 few pieces, which will speedily produce the effect de- 

 scribed. 



Many consider these bubbles as arising from the re- 

 spiration of fishes : in which they will sometimes be right ; 

 but the foregoing elucidation will evince, that such is not 

 always the case. I have repeatedly been out with young 

 anglers, who on seeing the lulbles rise, have immediately 

 expressed their exultation, and proceeded to throw in at 

 die seemingly favoured spot j under the pleasing expect- 

 ation of a bite. Sometimes success has attended the pro- 

 ceeding, and confirmed my companions in error : for, in 

 my belief, the fishes taken on such occasions, did not 

 eject the air that caused the lullles to rise. 



My opinion is, that when fishes bid lie in this way, it 

 is during the time of digesting what they have been eating. 

 I have repeatedly, in clear waters, observed fishes on such 

 occasions, and invariably remarked, that the bubblers 

 appeared quite indifferent to any bait. 



Further 



