HIS NATURAL HISTORY—ALEXANDER Iii 
and modes of capture. Of the hundred and ten only some 
fifty fish can be scientifically identified ; of which, all save 
six come from the sea. . 
This figure of about one hundred and ten speaks wonders 
for his industry and knowledge. Even after the lapse of 1800 
years separating him from the sixteenth century, the list of 
Mediterranean fishes compiled by Belon comprises but a hundred 
or so, and by Rondolet but some one hundred and sixty names. 
Risso, writing as late as 1810, furnishes no more than three 
hundred and fifteen, of which he asserts that eighty-eight 
had never been previously described. 
Not unnaturally, this industry and this knowledge caused 
our author to be at Athens not only a stumbling-block unto 
the wise, but ‘‘a very wonder unto fools,” as the comedians 
said, who fastened on an occasional lapse, such as his theory 
that the whole race of shell fish generate without connection. 
The Natural History nevertheless will always remain a 
monument of extraordinary diligence and mental vigour, 
especially when we bear in mind that he seemingly lacked any 
antiseptic preparation for the preservation of specimens. 
His pre-eminence of merit is indicated by the fact that of all 
the Greek and Latin authors he approximates nearest to some 
idea of zoological system. 
And yet this father of science and this founder of logic 
makes a direct personal appeal to us as a man very human in 
his life and tastes. Epicurus, “ that most truthful of men,’ 1 
alleges that, when young, Aristotle went the pace, and squandered 
his patrimony in good living and other pleasant delights. In 
addition to his love for jewellery and personal adornment we 
discover him as a great connoisseur of beautiful silver, of 
which he bequeathed over seventy rare bowls. He ranks in 
opsophagy as an epicure of the highest order. 
It is curious to note that in Aristotle, who apparently 
was familiar with most, if not all, of the then existent methods, 
no mention, as far as I can recall, occurs of actual fishing, save 
his story of the fight and escape of a big Glanis. 
He owed his knowledge largely to his intercourse with 
2 Athen., VIII. 50. 
