448 HISTORY OF 



for a total dissolution, while it api)eais to the eye as yet untouched 

 by the force of the stomach. This animal power is lodged in 

 the maw of fishes, in a greater degree than in any other crea- 

 tures ; their digestive powers are quick, and their appetites are 

 ever craving. 



Yet though fish are thus hungry, and for ever prowling, no 

 animals can suffer the want of food for so long a time. The 

 gold and silver fish we keep in vases seem never to want any 

 nourishment at all : whether it be that they feed on the water- 

 insects, too minute for our observation, or that water alone is a 

 sufficient supply, is not evident ; but they are often seen for 

 months without apparent sustenance. Even the pike, the most 

 voracious of fishes, will live in a pond where there is none but 

 himself; and, what is more extraordinary, will be often found 

 to thrive there. 



Still, however, fishes are of all other animals the most vo- 

 racious and insatiable. Whatever any of them is able to swal- 

 low, possessed of life, seems to be considered as the most de- 

 sirable food. Some that have very small mouths feed upon 

 worms and the spawn of other fish ; others, whose mouths are 

 larger, seek larger prey ; it matters not of what kind, whether 

 of another or their own. Those with the largest mouths pur- 

 sue almost every thing that has life ; and often meet each other 

 in fierce opposition, when the fish with the largest swallow 

 comes off with the victory and devours its antagonist. 



Thus are they irritated by the continual desire of satisfying 

 their hunger ; and the life of a fish, from the smallest to the 

 greatest, is but one scene of hostility, violence, and evasion. 

 But the smaller fry stand no chance in the unequal com.bat ; 

 and their usual way of escaping is by swimming into those shal- 

 lows where the greater are unable, or too heavy, to pursue. 

 There they become invaders in turn, and live upon the spawn' of 

 larger fish, v/hich they find floating upon the surface of the 

 vvater ; yet there are dangers attending them in every place. 

 Even in the shallows, the mussel, the oyster, and the scallop, lie 

 in ambush at the bottom, with their shells open, and whatever 

 little fish inadvertently approaches into contact, they at once 

 close their shells upon him, and devour the imprisoned prey at 

 their leisure. 



Nor is the pursuit of fishes, like that of terrestrial animals, 



