OF FISHES. 57 



But the time must ultimately arrive when death 

 will terminate their existence ; though admirably 

 constructed for an uncommonly long life, they are 

 not, nor can they be exempted from the operation 

 of a law, which to intelligent beings, is contempla- 

 ted with the deepest feelings of awe and solem- 

 nity. 



Pike and carp, in artificial ponds, have been re- 

 peatedly found, with gold rings in their fins, and 

 other kinds of labels, on which were also found dates, 

 that proved, conclusively, that one hundred years 

 had elapsed since the inscription was made. 



Gesner speaks of a pike that was known to be 

 267 years old. It is affirmed by some of the French 

 writers, that several pike are in a pond, which for- 

 merly belonged to the Duke of Orleans, father of 

 the present king, so very aged, that their original 

 complexion is completely lost : they have become 

 of a dingy hue, and actually give the spectator 

 the idea of extreme old age. 



Cartilaginous fishes have a still greater prospect 

 of living to an advanced period. Instead of bones, 

 as previously remarked, their skeletons are elastic, 

 having but a small portion of earthy matter in them. 

 As the vessels secrete but little ossific matter, they 

 do not become rigid, as in the land animal : — the 

 heart is in no danger of being converted into bone, 

 — indeed, we do not know why many of them 



