441 
man’s misfortunes, allowed him £25, the order for which I send 
you a copy of, dated December 5th, 1746.” In a subsequent letter 
to Mr. Baker, Arderon writes that “ Mr. Elden solemnly declared 
before the committee of St. Helen’s hospital, that the damage done 
to him that year amounted to £100 and upwards.” He also adds, 
that “ some ingenious persons account for the large increase of these 
insects from the decrease of rooks in this county, owing to most of 
the ancient rookeries having been destroyed by the large fall of 
timber trees made of late years, which has obliged the rooks to 
remove into other parts of the kingdom.” 
In order to learn the habits of fish, Mr. Arderon establishes a 
miniature aquarium. Ilis first attempt wa» with a glass jar, that 
held near a quart ; into this he placed a small dace about one inch 
in length (this was in the beginning of September, 174 4), which 
he kept till the end of May following, in which time it grew full 
lialf-an-inch in length, but very little in breadth. “ I believe I might 
havo kept this fish for years, but a multitude of business one day 
prevented me from giving it clean water in due time, which 
unfortunately put a period to the life of my little companion. 
“ At first when I catched this silver-coloured fish, it would not 
suffer me to come nigh the glass which included it, without the ut- 
most confusion and surprise ; but at last, by gentle usage and a 
little art, it grew so tame that if I came but in sight, it would sure 
to be of the same side of the glass I was on, and be gazing at me 
until I was weary of observing it. 
“ I at the same time put a ruff into a larger glass. The fish 
appeared mightily reserved and would not eat anything, but after a 
time, hunger impelled it to take" the food offered it, and at last it 
would take small worms out of my hand ; and at last it would 
come to my hand whenever I put my hand into the glass, and suffer 
me to handle it. But to ease me of my care when I had made my 
observations, I thought necessary, and in pity to its confinement, 
when I had kept it about seven or eight months, I gave it its 
liberty. 
“ About Christmas last, I put two ruffs into a jar of water, where 
they lived together until April, when, at the desire of a friend, I 
gave one of them away. After the separation, the fish that 
remained with me was so affected that for three weeks it would cat 
nothing I could give it, and therefore, fearing it would pine to 
