THE BEAUTY OF FISHES. 77 



conversant with no interchanging language, and 

 cherish no warm affections. Constructing no dwel- 

 ling, they merely shelter themselves from danger 

 among the cavernous rocks of the ocean, in the silent 

 depths of lakes, or beneath the murky shade of the 

 overhanging banks of rivers ; and the cravings of 

 hunger seem alone to exercise a frequenter influential 

 action over their monotonous movements . We must 

 not, however, conceive that the life of fishes is not 

 one of enjoyment, for we know that the Great 

 Creator " careth for all his creatures ;" and it ought 

 perhaps rather to be said that we cannot appreciate 

 the nature of their feelings, than that they are in 

 any way fore-doomed to a negation of pleasure. 

 Assuredly, however, the hand of nature has been 

 most prodigal in bestowing on their external aspect 

 every variety of adornment. Their special forms 

 are infinite, their proportions often most elegant, 

 their colours lively and diversified and nothing 

 seems wanting, either in their shape or structure, 

 to excite the unfeigned admiration of mankind. 

 Indeed, it almost appears as if this prodigality of 

 beauty was intended solely for such an end. The 

 brightness of metallic splendour the sparkling 

 brilliancy of precious gems 'the milder effulgence 

 of the hues of flowers, all combine to signalise fishes 

 as among the most beautiful objects of creation. 

 When newly withdrawn from their native element, 

 or still gliding submerged amid its liquid coolness, 

 their colours fixed or iridescent, are seen mingling 

 in spots, or bands, or broader flashes, always ele- 

 gant and symmetrical, sometimes richly contrasted, 





