Observations on Fish, in relation to Diet. 225 



from subterranean heat accompany the injection. Whether 

 each of these effects be multiplied by 50,000, or by half a 

 million or by two millions of years, may entirely decide the 

 question whether we shall or shall not be compelled to aban- 

 don the doctrine of paroxysmal violence in ancient as con- 

 trasted with modern times. Were we hastily to take for granted 

 the paroxsymal intensity of the forces above alluded to, or- 

 ganic and inorganic, while the ordinary course of nature may of 

 itself afford the requisite amount of aqueous, igneous, and 

 vital force (if multiplied by a sufficient number of centuries), 

 we might find ourselves embarrassed by the possession of 

 twice as much mechanical force and vital energy as we require 

 for the purposes of geological interpretation. 



Some Observations on Fish, in relation to Diet. By John 

 Davy, M.D., F.R.S. Lond. & Edin., Inspector-General of 

 Army Hospitals, &c* Communicated by the Author. 



What are the nutritive qualities of fish, compared with 

 other kinds of animal food? Do different species of fish 

 differ materially in degree in nutritive power? Have fish, 

 as food, any peculiar or special properties ? These are 

 questions, amongst many others, which may be asked, but 

 which, in the present state of our knowledge, I apprehend 

 it would be difficult to answer in a manner at all satisfac- 

 tory. 



On the present occasion, I shall attempt little more than 

 an opening of the inquiry, and that directed to a few points, 

 chiefly those alluded to in the foregoing queries. 



1 . Of the Nutritive Power of Fish. 

 The proposition probably will be admitted, that the nutri- 

 tive power of all the ordinary articles of animal food, at 

 least of those composed principally of muscular fibre, or of 



* Read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 18th April 1853. 

 VOL. LV. NO. CX. — OCTOBER 1853. P 



