LIFE BENEATH THE WAVE. 331 



Might there is generally predominant over right. 

 Fishes eternally prey upon each other; and for such 

 reason, were it not for the wonderful fecundity of 

 these creatures (one cod-fish, for instance, producing 

 several millions of ova in a single season), we should 

 soon have the waters depopulated of all but the 

 monsters of the deep. 



Now, knowing that such a state of things exists 

 that cannibalism is of such frequent occurrence, 

 and the dogs of war are there ever let loose the 

 inquiry naturally presented itself: Are the inhabit- 

 ants of the ocean a happy race or not 1 Accord- 

 ing to many writers, the answer must be given in 

 the affirmative ; nay, more, some authors state, and 

 with good show of authority, too, be it observed, 

 that fishes are in reality the happiest of created 

 things, by reason that they have no fear or appre- 

 hension of death, nor are they subject to pain or 

 disease, nor, in fact, to any of those ills that flesh is 

 heir to. These creatures cannot, of course, live for 

 ever ; but by a merciful dispensation of Providence, 

 their final pang endures but for an instant. 



The celebrated St. Anthony is among the believers 

 in the consummate happiness of the finny tribe. 

 There is on record a discourse said to have been 

 preached by him to an assembly of fish, in which 

 they are flattered to an amazing extent. It almost 

 rouses one's jealous ire to find such fulsome adula- 

 tion bestowed upon the lower animals, at the ex- 



