ON THE BEST KINDS OF FISH FOE EIVEES. 139 



whose sense of his attentions will, possibly, he even 

 more strikingly expressed. 



The pearl-bearing Mussel, which abounds in many 

 of our rivers, particularly in the Teith and Tay in 

 Scotland, and the Donegal river in Ireland,^ might 

 also be a subject for cultivation, as it would not 

 only be valuable for its pearls, but form food for 

 insects, on which the fish live in turn. These 

 mussels have received some little attention froni 

 the Acclimatisation Society. Mussels of a some- 

 what similar kind are found abundantly in most 

 of our rivers, and it is possible that some of them 

 may even contain pearls. 



The culture of Leeches is largely practised upon 

 the Continent, and handsome profits are yearly 

 realized by it. The best leeches come from the 

 south of France, from Italy, and Hungary. It is 

 doubtful whether our climate is not too cold for 

 successful Hiradiculture. To those who wish to 

 study this subject I recommend the work of Mons. 

 Jourdier. 



1 The pearls in this river have been taken of large size and very 

 pure water, aa much as 601. or 701. having been given for one. I 

 saw some very fine ones in the possession of Colonel Hamilton, 

 especially some beautiful black pearls, and I brought some both 

 black and white from the river myself. 



