210 
4NGLEB. 
of an Angler which measured two feet and a half in length 
was found a Codfish that measured two feet, and in the latter 
were the skeletons of two Whitings, within which again were 
other small fishes. 
As this fish has on some occasions displayed a considerable 
degree of apparently stupid indifference to fear, with remarkable 
want of caution in avoiding danger, it has been concluded that 
its powers of perception are in a low degree; and this opinion 
is strengthened by noticing the small size of the brain in 
comparison with the bulk of the body. It scarcely fills half the 
chamber of the skull in which it lies, the remainder of the 
space being occupied with water, as in other fishes; and it is 
even said that this brain in bulk is but little above that of 
a sparrow. The whole head also is regarded as being in a 
condition of restricted or arrested development; for, as in most 
animals, in their embryotic state the head is proportionally 
larger in reference to the body than it continues to be in 
the state of perfect development, it has been judged that its 
existence in the magnitude we find it in the Angler, is a proof 
of the small development also of its other powers. Eut the 
abstract truth cannot be reached by such an analogy; and it 
is to be questioned whether a comparison of the brain of this 
fish with that of a sparrow be in any respect a just one. 
There are in all creatures nerves and portions of the brain 
which are endued with special sensibility, — as that of seeing, 
hearing, and tasting, — but in which the anatomist, with his 
microscope, has not yet learnt to discern a diflerent structure 
from that which is possessed by other nerves that are altogether 
insensible to such, or indeed any other conscious sensations. 
And again there exist creatures which, to all appearance, arc 
guided by strong powers of reason in their animal actions, 
whose brains are vastly smaller in size than that of the Angler. 
The weight of the brain of the bulky fish and of the bird 
may therefore be the same, but Ave know that their form, extent 
of surface, and arrangement of parts are different, and it is 
probable that the internal structure of the lobes is still more 
so; as we know further is the expansion and arrangement ol 
the nerves of the external development of the organs of sen- 
sation; in which last particular indeed this fish excels a large 
number of the other inhabitants of the sea. What appears to 
