7180 Fishes, 



greatly increased in volume by conduction. The sounds varied con- 

 siderably at different points, as we moved across the lake, as if the 

 number of the animals from which they proceeded was greatest in 

 particular spots ; and occasionally we rowed out of hearing of them 

 altogether, until, on returning to the original locality, the sounds were 

 at once renewed." 



The next extract is particularly interesting as relating to a different 

 locality, and as having been published as far back as January, 1847 in 

 the ' Bombay Times.' The place mentioned is a salt-water creek near 

 Bombay. There is no collusion whatever between the two writers. 

 It is extremely improbable that Sir Emerson should have seen this 

 account, and have omitted all allusion to it ; and it is quite impossible 

 that Dr. Buist should have been cognizant of Sir Emerson Tennenl's 

 subsequently published observations. Here is Dr. Buist's own 

 narrative : — 



" A party lately crossing from the promontory in Salsette called the 

 ' Neat's tongue,' to near Sewree, were, about sunset, struck by hearing 

 long distinct sounds like the protracted booming of a distant bell, the 

 dying cadence of an xEolian harp, the note of a pitch-pipe or pitch- 

 fork, or any other long-drawn-out musical note. It was, at first, sup- 

 posed to be music from Parell floating at intervals on the breeze; then 

 it was perceived to come from all directions, almost in eqtjal strength, 

 and to arise from the surface of the water all around the vessel. The 

 boatmen at once intimated that the sounds were produced by fish, 

 abounding in the muddy creeks and shoals around Bombay and Sal- 

 sette ; they were perfectly well known, and very often heard. Accord- 

 ingly, on inclining the ear towards the surface of the water ; or, better 

 still, by placing it close to the planks of the vessel, the notes appeared 

 loud and distinct, and followed each other in constant succession. 

 The boatmen next day produced specimens of the fish — a creature 

 closely resembling in size and shape the fresh-water perch of the north 

 of Europe — and spoke of them as plentiful and perfectly well known. 

 lt«is hoped they may be procured alive, and the means afforded of 

 determining how the musical sounds are produced and emitted, with 

 other particulars of interest supposed new in Ichthyology. We shall 

 be thankful to receive from our readers any information they can give 

 us in regard to a phenomenon which does not appear to have been 

 heretofore noticed, and which cannot fail to attract the attention of 

 the naturalist. Of the perfect accurac}-^ with which the singular facts 

 above related have been given no doubt will be entertained when it is 

 mentioned that the writer was one of a party of five intelligent persons, 



