441 HISTORY OF 



must be the same manner as we distinguish by our taste ; and, 

 it is probable, the olfactory membrane in iish serves them 

 instead of a distinguishing palate ; and by this they judge of sub- 

 stances, that, first tincturing the water with their vapours, are 

 thus sent to the nostrils of the fish, and no doubt produce some 

 kind of sensation. This most probably must be the use of that 

 organ in those animals, as otherwise there would be the instru 

 ments of a sense provided for them, without any power in them 

 of enjoyment. 



As to tasting, they seem to make very little distinction ; the 

 palate of most fish is hard and bony, and consequently incapable 

 of the powers of relishing different substances. This sense 

 among quadrupeds, who possess it in some degree, arises from 

 the soft pliancy of the organ, and the delicacy of the skin which 

 covers the instruments of tasting ; it may be considered, in them, 

 as a more perfect and delicate kind of feeling : in the bony palate 

 of fish, therefore, all powers of distinguishing are utterly taken 

 away ; and we have accordingly often seen these voracious ani- 

 mals swallow the fisherman's plummet instead of the bait. 



Hearing in fishes is found still more imperfect, if it be found 

 at all. Certain it is, that anatomists have not been able to dis- 

 cover, except in the whale kind, the smallest traces of an organ, 

 either within or without the head of fishes. It is true, that in 

 the centre of the brain of some fishes are found now and then 

 some little bones, the number and situation of which are entirely 

 accidental. These bones, Mr Klein has supposed to constitute 

 the organ of hearing ; but if we consider their entire dissimili- 

 tude to the bones tliat serve for hearing in other animals, we shall 

 be of another opinion. The greatest number of fishes are depriv- 

 ed of these bones entirely : some fish have them in small numbers, 

 and others in abundance ; yet neither testify any excellence or 

 defect in hearing. Indeed, of what advantage would this sense 

 be to animals that are incapable of making themselves heard? 

 They have no voice to communicate to each other, and conse- 

 quently have no need of an organ for hearing. Mr Gouan, who 

 kept some gold fishes in a vase, informs us, that whatever noise 

 he made, he could neither disturb nor terrify them ; he halloed 

 as loud as he could, putting a piece of paper between his mouth 

 and the water, to prevent the vibrations from affecting the sur- 

 face, and the fishes still seemed insensible ; but when the paper 



