230 THE ANGLER-NATURALIST. 



of its dorsal fins to right and left and fixing them in the 

 bark, it continues its journey upwards. 



As before observed, however, all these travelling-fish are 

 more or less expressly equipped by nature for the purpose; 

 and though I have alluded to them as examples, interest- 

 ing in themselves, of the migratory instinct, more com- 

 plete and corroborative testimony must be produced before 

 we accept as proved the theory that any British fishes, other 

 than Eels, are capable of similar, or even less lengthened 

 efforts. But to return : 



Although, from its vigorous and unsparing destructive- 

 ness, the Pike has many detractors and few apologists, it 

 must not be supposed that it is altogether without any 

 of the softer instincts. On the contrary, it has been 

 known to exhibit, under particular circumstances, a very 

 decided amount of friendship, and even affection, espe- 

 cially in the conjugal form. An instance of this is on 

 record, where a female Pike was taken during the spawn- 

 ing-season, and nothing could drive the male away from 

 the spot at which its mate had disappeared; and the 

 author of the ' Practical Angler ' refers to a similar oc- 

 currence which happened under his own observation. 

 The Pike has also occasionally exhibited considerable 

 signs of grief at the departure of other fish from a 

 vivarium in which they had been for some time fellow- 

 prisoners. 



I cannot here resist quoting an amusing account, given 

 by Dr. Badham, of the uxoriousness of another predatory 



