172 PRODUCTION OF FISH. 



on the sides of the parent hydra, gradually expand and 

 acquire tentaculae, and when these are of sufficient size 

 for catching food, the young animals loosen from the 

 sides of their parent, drop off, and become independent. 

 Nor is the reproduction confined to the formation of 

 new animals by buds ; for sluggish as life seems to be 

 in this Zoophyte, it seems not to depend on even the 

 simple organization of the whole animal, but to be in- 

 stinctive and perfect in every part of it : if the water 

 hydra be cut in two or more pieces, these pieces do 

 not die, but gradually reproduce the other parts and 

 become perfect animals. Thus, even in that which a 

 careless observer would not believe to be a living 

 animal at all, but merely part of the remains of a dead 

 one, there is not only one life, but absolutely a number 

 of lives, all so perfect and vigorous as to be capable 

 of fabricating new organs for their use, and preserving its 

 existence. Here we have a remarkable instance of that 

 ingenuity which is displayed in all the works of nature ; 

 which is even the most remarkable where we would 

 least expect it ; and which should teach us, that every 

 thing around us is fraught with information. 



As the greater number of fishes deposit their spawn 

 in shallow water, where it may be acted upon by the 

 air an action which appears to be absolutely necessary 

 for the hatching of the young, the estuaries of rivers 

 are the resorts of many finny visitants ; and, at times, 

 they literally swarm with the fry, or young. These are 

 sometimes beaten back by storms when they are in the 

 act of entering the sea, and cast upon the shore in my- 

 riads. We have seen a bank of young herrings nearly 

 a foot high, and extending for miles along the shore, 



