32 MR. E. DAT ON" THE 



moistens, no eyelid shelters or wipes the surface of the eye, which 

 is but an indifferent representative of that organ as existing in 

 the superior classes of animals. Delicate sense of taste is said 

 to be wanting, and that of smell to be but small ; while feeling 

 on the surface of their bodies is almost obliterated, due to the 

 interposition of scales, and, in some species, even their very 

 lips are converted to the hardness and insensibility of bone. To 

 pursue their prey or escape an enemy is the constant occupation 

 of their lives, determines their place of abode, and is the principal 

 object of the diversities of form among them. Their sexual emo- 

 tions, cold as their own blood, indicate merely individual wants. 

 "With scarcely an exception, fish do not construct a nest ; they 

 neither feed nor defend their offspring. The inhabitant of the 

 waters knows no attachments, has no language, no affections ; 

 feelings of conjugality and paternity are not acknowledged by 

 him ; ignorant of the art of constructing an asylum, in danger 

 he seeks shelter among rocks or in the darkness of profound 

 depths : his life is silent and monotonous. 



What a gloomy picture is here sketched out respecting fishes ! 

 Eager in the pursuit of prey in order to satisfy the cravings of 

 hunger, or terrified at the approach of danger, their lives, which 

 are said to be silent, monotonous, and joyless, would appear to be 

 scarcely worth preserving; death itself, one would imagine, must 

 be a happy release from a burdensome existence. But fishermen 

 are well aware that the finny tribes are as eager to escape from 

 danger, or avoid capture, as are the inhabitants of the earth or the 

 frequenters of the air, which compels us to question whether their 

 lives are so joyless as has been represented — if anger or affection 

 are really among their unknown passions. 



I will first observe upon the means possessed by fishes enabling 

 them to demonstrate their emotions. First, we find that they are 

 capable of erecting their dermal appendages, as scales or fin-rays, 

 under the influence of anger or terror, similarly as feathers or hairs 

 are erected in birds and mammals. But special expressions, as 

 those of joy, pain, astonishment, &c, we could hardly anticipate 

 being so well marked in fishes as in some of the superior grades 

 of animals, in which the play of the features frequently affords an 

 insight into their internal motions. Eyes without movable eye- 

 lids, cheeks encased with bony plates or covered with hard scales, 

 are scarcely suitable for smiling or developing into a laugh. Ex- 



