ANGLER. 
211 
stand in the place of the olfactory portion of the brain exists 
as a separate globe of nervous matter, distinct from the united 
ganglions forming the true brain, although it is united to it 
by a bar or string of nerve; and from this anterior globe 
proceed some fine fibres which we should have described as 
passing forward to the perforated elevations above the upper 
jaw, which we suppose to form the nostrils; but we hesitate 
to say that these fibres are actually united to or expanded on 
these processes, since Professor Owen, whose accuracy in 
observation no one will question, has not been able to trace 
them thither. These processes are also furnished, at their root 
at least, with nerves of considerable size; but which are only 
organs of feeling, as is the nervous trunk from which these 
branches spring, and which conveys its powers of sensation 
over the face and to the corner of the mouth, with the 
neighbouring parts. As this nerve is the largest in the body, 
except the nerve of sight, we may believe it to bestow the 
function of exquisite touch in a degree proportionate to its 
superior size. 
There exists in this fish also, what perhaps we should least 
expect to find in it, an organ of hearing, which it possesses 
in a higher degree of development than in many other species. 
It is true there is no external orifice by which undulations 
causing sound can obtain access; but there is no reason to 
suppose that any modulation of sound is felt by any true fish. 
It is only a few varieties of noise or tone that is perceived 
by them; and in this particular the Angler is at least equal 
with the generality of the inhabitants of the ocean. 
But to the eye of this fish we would direct particular 
attention, as in its structure we discern it to be better prepared 
for variety of vision than is the case with the larger part of 
bony fishes. The crystalline lens is large, by which means it 
is able to take in a wide range of vision; while its situation, 
far back in the chamber, and very near the retina or expanded 
fibres of the nerve of sight, from which, by bringing the rays 
of light to a short focus, the distance at which objects would 
be seen must be small, is changed, and a larger extent of 
perception secured by the compressing operation of the external 
muscles of the eye-ball; the lens itself being thus driven 
forward towards the front of the organ, where it is soft and 
