176 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



experience, proved the truth of many of the above asser- 

 tions, and, no doubt, some have observed traits of intelli- 

 gence still more convincing. 



The wonderful faculty of anadromous fishes, seeking out 

 and ascending their native streams during the breeding 

 season, even after being purposely carried hundreds of 

 miles away, has commanded the admiration of biologists, 

 yet tfiey can see nothing in the small and jelly-like brain 

 of the fish to account for the marvelous habit, but instinct; 

 on the same principle, perhaps, that Coleridge accounts 

 for the blindness of Love : 



" His eyes are in his mind." 



SENSE OF SIGHT. 



We are led to believe, from the investigations of anato- 

 mists, that the organs of special sense in fishes are very 

 imperfectly developed; but while this may be true, in the 

 main, as regards the special senses of touch and taste, I am 

 constrained to believe, from the observations of myself 

 and many others, that fishes, in general, have the senses 

 of sight, hearing, and smell developed in a much greater 

 degree than is generally supposed. 



The diversities in form and position of the eyes of 

 different fishes, prove that they are of the greatest use 

 to them, in procuring food, and in escaping from their 

 enemies; and are placed "where they will do the most 

 good." 



In the majority of fishes, which are constantly moving 

 about, and frequent alike the surface and bottom of streams, 

 the eyes are placed in the usual position of most other 



