AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 471 



dance in our rivers and streams would be a benefit to all classes 

 of peojde, and open to the puldic a new branch of industry, be- 

 sides increasing their alimentary resources by creating a perfectly 

 inexhaustible process of production. It is only necessary to say 

 that, after some deliberation, in Senate assembled, my offer was 

 declined. 



The Hag. — Among the cartilaginous fish there is one known as 

 the hag, which is possessed of a very remarkable mode of escaping 

 its enemies ; by creating a vacuum with its lips, it adheres with 

 such tenacity to fishes that they cannot shake it off" — like the 

 leech, it lacerates with its teeth, and draws the life-blood from 

 the object of attack. Thus fixed, it offers a tempting bait, and 

 might readily become an easy prey were it not that Providence 

 has afforded it a means of escape of a remarkable character. 

 When danger approaches, the hag emits a species of excrement of 

 a slimy nature, which surrounds and conceals it from view. This 

 matter is so abundant that he can continue to emit it until a large 

 tub of water is thoroughly im1)ued, and after a short time it as- 

 sumes the transparency of glue, and may be drawn into long 

 threads. This fish has neither ventral nor pectoral fins, and its 

 body appears devoid of a head, terminating in a circular thick 

 lip. 



The Torpedo. — This Avonderful fish lias been gifted by tlie Su- 

 preme Being beyond all the animals of the terrestrial world, and 

 in some respects even man. It has been armed, to defend itself, 

 with the lightning of heaven, Avhich it employs, as we do gnnpow- 

 der, to amaze, stupify and even destroy the inhabitants of the 

 ocean. The cat, during certain changes in the weather, is capa- 

 ble of accumulating a small portion of electricity, but not suffi- 

 cient to arrest its prey; but the torpedo conceals himself in the 

 mud, well knowing that he possesses the power of destroying, 

 through the medium of a shock, any sim];)le unsuspecting creature 

 that may be so unfortunate as to pass over him. That self-suffi- 

 cient biped, man, may charge a battery with this wonderful ele- 

 ment, and work wonders with it, but cannot use it independently 

 of other substances, as the electric fishes can, for offensive and de- 

 fensive pui'iDoses. 



