BOOK IX.] History of Nature. 1 13 



the Place of Lungs, just as in many Creatures another Kind 

 of Humour is in the Place of Blood. And who would wonder 

 that this vital Breath should penetrate within the Waters, 

 considering that he seeth how it is returned from them ; and 

 that it penetrateth even into the Earth, which is the grossest 

 Part of Nature, we perceive by the Example of the Crea- 

 tures, as the Moles, which live, although always buried in 

 the Ground. I have effectual Reasons to lead me to believe, 

 that all Things in the Waters breathe, each one after its 

 Nature. First, I have often observed in Fishes an evident 

 Action of breathing in the Heat of Summer; and also that 

 they gape when the Weather is calm ; and they also who 

 believe the contrary, confess that Fishes sleep. 1 For what 

 Place is there for Sleep without Breathing ? Moreover, 

 whence those Bubbles which are breathed from under 

 Water? and the increase of the Bodies of Shell-fishes by the 

 Influence the Moon ? But above all, Fishes possess the 

 power of Hearing and Smelling, 2 and no doubt both these 

 Senses are from the Matter of Air : for it can be understood 

 that Smell is nothing but the Air infected. However, let 

 every one think as he pleases on these Points. Neither 

 Whales, called Balaense, nor Dolphins, have any Gills. Both 

 these Kinds breathe through Passages which reach down to 

 the Lungs: from the Forehead in the Balsens, and in the 

 Dolphins, from the Back. Also the Sea-calves, which they 

 call Phoca:, breathe and sleep on the Land. So do Tortoises, 

 of which more by and by. 



CHAPTER VII f. 

 Of Dolphins. 



THE swiftest of all living Creatures, not of the Sea only, 

 is the Dolphin ; more rapid than a Bird, swifter than an 

 Arrow ; and but that its Mouth is far beneath its Snout, 

 (being almost in the middle of its Belly), not a Fish could 

 escape from its rapid Pursuit. But Nature in its Providence 



1 See B. x. c. 75. 2 13. x. c. 70. 



VOL. in. i 



