Fishes. 799 



gree of intelligence and interest than we have been accustomed to 

 award. But, from their living in the almost boundless ocean, and 

 wandering where they cannot be observed by man, their habits and 

 economy have been but slightly studied, and they have suffered in 

 reputation accordingly. But those finer traits of character, which 

 we are so much accustomed to admire in the higher animals, from 

 their being constantly before our eyes, are not found wanting even 

 among fish. And these would be better known and understood, if 

 there were more out-door naturalists, and fewer book students, who, 

 with the truth, propagate, instead of correcting the errors of their 

 predecessors. 



R. Q. Couch. 



Penzance. 



Note on the preservation of colour in Dried Fishes. I observe, in the first volume 

 of your Magazine (Zool. 193), a "Note on the preservation of Fish," but there is 

 not one word about preserving fish in all the note. I have no doubt, if Mr. Kidd can 

 prove that he is capable of keeping the colours of fish after being preserved, that he 

 would get full employment, if he is a working man : if he is a gentleman, why not 

 publish his method, so that your country readers (who cannot visit Van Voorst's esta- 

 blishment), may prove his principle for themselves? I am a fish fancier, and have had 

 considerable practice, but have no pretensions to being able to keep their colours, nor 

 have I ever fallen in with any person, either in England or Scotland (and I have had 

 many opportunities), who could perfectly keep their colours. This ballan wrasse, and 

 its congeners, are the most easy of all our British fish to keep in shape, and I con- 

 sider that he must be a mere Tyro that cannot keep the generality of ordinary-sized 

 fish in shape. There are many colours that are easier to keep than others, but the 

 beautiful and delicate tints of the opah, and similar fishes, have never been preserved. 

 As I consider that it would be a great desideratum filled up, I beg to call upon Mr. 

 Kidd, or any other gentleman, to publish, in your valuable Magazine, their method of 

 keeping colours, and I shall be most happy to make the experiment, and will publish 

 the results. At the same time, will Mr. Kidd be kind enough to say if he has been 

 successful with serpents. We are now able to keep their colours by preserving them 

 in bottles, but I would prefer stuffing (which is the cheapest and easiest), if the 

 colours could be as well kept. — Henri/ Johnson ; 18, Seal-street, Liverpool, October 

 15, 1844. 



Note on Fishes being infested by Insect Parasites. On the 10th of last July, a 

 friend of mine who happened to be walking by the side of the reservoir which sup- 

 plies the town of Manchester with water, observed a perch lying on its back, and 

 struggling on the surface of the water. On taking it out, he found about a dozen 

 insects attached to its head ; these measured above the fifth of an inch in diameter, 

 and were of a flat form, and a greenish colour. On opening the gills of the perch, 

 he found them filled with other insects, similar in form, but of a smaller size. My 

 friend has since observed a stickleback in the same state. Probably some of your 

 entomological readers will be able to furnish the name of the parasite from these 

 particulars, slight as they are, and thus oblige — Thomas Webster ; 96, Or mond -street, 

 Chorlton-uyon-Medloch , Manchester, October 30, 1S44. 



