274 NATURAL HISTORY 
that the power of emitting founds would not be given them, but 
for fome ufe, and for what ufe, if they could not be heard and appre- 
hended by fifh of the fame fpecies ? It is aflferted however by fome 
moderns that fifh do not hear (Philof. Tranfadfions for 1748, N\ 
486) ; and fo far the experiments mentioned there feem to prove, 
that fifh are not perceptible of articulate founds , and indeed it 
cannot be thought that their organs of hearing, formed for fo thick 
a medium, need be fo quick and delicate as thofe of creatures which 
live in the air ; I think it therefore moffc reafonable to conclude that 
fifh may, and likely do hear as much as is neceflary for felf-prefer- 
vation, and that intercourfe which is requifite to aflemble and con- 
nect individuals of the fame fpecies. 
xii. Befides the mufcle, limpet, cockle, wrinkle, and crabs of all 
- kinds, for better nourifhment we have the long-oyfter (the Locufta 
marina Aldro-vand. de Cruft at. chap. 2, tab. 2), and the lobfcer, or 
Ajiacus verus , much fuperior in delicacy of food to the former, 
and in fuch plenty on the coafts of Cornwall, that Well-boats come 
to load, and carry them alive to London and elfewhere c . 
Of the fhrimp kind, great quantities are taken in Helford harbour, 
Mount’s Bay, &c. in calm weather. Here we often find the her- 
mit-fhrimp, bernard, or cancellus , remarkable for taking poffefiion 
of fome empty fhell, and there fixing his habitation as firmly as if 
it were his own native place ; when it marches, it draws the fhell 
after it ; in danger retires wholly into it, and guards the mouth 
with one of its forcipated claws d . That fine fhrimp, Squilla lata 
Rondeletii , (lib. 18, chap. 6) rubra , albo maculata , I found on 
Careg-killas in Mount’s Bay. 
Of oyfters there is great plenty in Cornwall ; the belt I have 
heard of come from the creeks in Conftantine parifh on the river 
Hel in Kerrier hundred ; they have them alfo in all the navigable 
rivers on the fouth coaft, always beft tailed where there is leaft 
communication with the waters which come from mines, ftamping- 
mills, and other places infe&ed with mundic and vitriol. This 
fifh has the power of clofing the two parts of its fhell with prodi- 
gious force by means of a firong mufcle at the hinge, and Mr. Ca- 
rew, (p. 31) with his wonted pleafantry, tells us of one whole fhell 
being opened as ufual at the time of flood (when thefe fifhes it 
feems participate and enjoy the returning tide), three mice eagerly 
attempted to feize it, and the oyflier clafping faft its fhell killed 
them all. It not only fhuts its two valves with great flrength, but 
c In the fpring and fummer feafon the largeft i Some have erroneoufly imagined that this was 
are bought for four pence each, fometimes lefs, a young lobfter. 
in Mount’s Bay. 
keeps 
