Fishes. 525 



weight of a full-grown bird, and the like, however scientifically de- 

 scribed, appear not of such engrossing interest as to render unneces- 

 sary, or themselves indifferent to, the observation of the daily habits of 

 the various creatures of God's hand. And without claiming for the 

 followers at large any very near approach to the merit of the master, 

 I cannot but think that Natural History is much indebted to their la- 

 bours and recorded observations. We now possess a very fair gene- 

 ral acquaintance with the habits of a large proportion of birds and 

 quadrupeds, as also with those of numerous individuals of the insect 

 tribe ; while in not a few cases the general acquaintance has ripened 

 into intimacy. 



But widely different is the state of the case so far as the finny de- 

 nizens of the waters are concerned. We have, it is true, particular 

 and accurate accounts of their shape and size, weight and colour; 

 and science has laid her finger on their less striking characteristics. 

 We have, further, a perfect knowledge of their fitness for broiling or 

 boiling, and of their excellence when stewed or roasted ; and I am 

 far from denying that such knowledge is highly interesting. Still, I 

 think that however satisfactory a broil of trout or " a kettle of fish " 

 may be, the accounts we have of their habits and mode of existence 

 previously to making their appearance with the graceful accompani- 

 ments of melted butter and lobster-sauce, are by no means calculated 

 to satisfy the mental appetite of the lover of Natural History : they 

 are too meager by far for that ; so that, having despatched them — his 

 consumptis — he is but the more painfully sensible of penuria edendi. 



Recent researches with respect to the habits and biography of a few 

 species of fish, have served to remove certain gross errors and contri- 

 bute something to the stores of sound knowledge. But still, only just 

 enough has been done to increase the need for doing more, both by 

 increasing the desire for knowing more, and at the same time insinu- 

 ating the possibility that some portion even of the little already known 

 may not be perfectly accurate. For that little, whether accurate or 

 not, I think it must be admitted, the angler rather than the natural 

 historian must receive our thanks. To him a certain amount of cor- 

 rect information as to the peculiar habits of the objects of his pursuit, 

 varying it may be with the varying season, is indispensable : for without 

 it he will be utterly unsuccessful. Consequently he has made it his 

 business to acquire that species and degree of knowledge, and has, in 

 many cases, made it public for the benefit of the " brethren of the 

 angle." Of this the writer or compiler of Natural History has availed 

 himself, and so far as he has transcribed the facts of his authority, he 



