

SOME GENERAL INFERENCES. 73 



it is also by means of the dermis that the peculiar 

 matter, so remarkable for its silvery metallic lustre, 

 and which bestows such brilliancy on many fishes, 

 is secreted beneath the scales. It is this substance 

 that is used in the formation of artificial pearls. 



SECTION XII. 



Things to be inferred from the preceding premises. 



WE think it results from the foregoing slight 

 details (into which we cannot here enter more 

 minutely), that the external senses of fishes con- 

 vey to them less lively and distinct impressions 

 than do those of other verteb rated beings. By 

 whatever scenes in nature they are surrounded, 

 their perceptions, beyond a narrow range, are in- 

 distinct and dull. Their sexual emotions, cold as 

 their blood, indicate only individual wants. They 

 bear little or no attachment to each other, and even 

 when assembled together in multitudinous millions 

 (as subjects of the herring board, T. D. L., Sec.), 

 they exhibit only a congregated mass of selfish single 

 fishes, each striving to push his own particular for- 

 tune along the wooded shores of deep Loch Fyne 

 (or other rich marine pasture), without even crying 

 " God bless the Duke," as all are now alike in duty 

 and affection bound. Few species pair or enjoy 

 any connubial gratification, and neither sex seems 

 to recognise its offspring. Lest, however, we should 



