156 Traces of a Voice in Fishes. [ March, 
we shall undoubtedly find some exceptions to this supposed rule 
of dissociation of coloration and voice ; but these may be less in 
number than appear to us, when we consider how great a num- 
ber of diminutive species are found in every stream, that cannot 
be determined in which class they should be placed ; for while 
many are dull colored and doubtless possess voice (the well- 
known mud minnow, Melanura limi, is an excellent example), 
this is too faint a sound for us to detect ; but from the fact that 
this peculiarity can be determined in some of the larger species, 
it is not improbable that in earlier geological eras fishes gener- 
ally were of sombre tints, and possessed more decided vocal pow- 
ers than at present ; and that in the subsequent differentiation of 
genera and species, color was more and more evolved asa ge- 
neric character, and voice became proportionately less a feature of 
our fishes, but was retained in some and reappears in still 
stronger development in those connecting links between fishes 
and the higher vertebrates, culminating in the batrachians, where 
it is perfected by the presence of a larynx. 
In conclusion, it is well to quote briefly from an author who 
has most scientifically discussed this same subject.? 
He writes: “ Not only is there every reason to believe that 
the majority of sounds produced by fishes are not casual utter- 
ances, but are truly voluntary, but there is among such as give 
vent to them a most remarkable development of the organs of 
hearing in all essential particulars, for example, in the semi-cir- 
cular canals, otoliths, and nerves, correlative with the degree of 
perfection of the instrument. Further than this, as the sounds 
generally excel in frequency and intensity at the breeding season, 
it will not be unreasonable to regard them, — granting, as we do, 
that the chirp of the ericket and the croak of the frog is each in 
its way an alluring serenade, — as nuptial hymns, or, to use lan- 
guage ascribed to Plutarch, as ‘deafening epithalamia.’ More 
than this; seeing that the carp, and others of the same family, 
have given unmistakable proofs of their aptitude to receive some 
rudiments of education, and in particular to perceive certain 
sounds, it can yet be possible that the moral admonitions of a 
St. Anthony of Padua — by many still regarded as a work of 
supererogation — may, no less than the amorous twang of the 
vesical zither, after all not have fallen upon totally deaf ears.” 
1 Songs of Fishes. By John C. Galton. Popular Science Review, October, 1874. 
(Consult also Rechefches sur les Bruits et Sons expressifs que sont entendre les Pois- 
sons d’Europe, par M. Dufossé. (Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Tom. xiX., XX9 
1874.) With many illustrations. This article doubtless inspired the excellent one — 
by Mr. Galton.— EDITOR American NATURALIST.) 
