CHiETODONS. 
109 
I The relation of this uncommon action of this 
I cunning fish, raised the Governor’s curiosity ; 
I though it came well attested, yet he was deter- 
I mined, if possible, to be convinced of the truth 
j by ocular demonstration. For that purpose he 
I ordered a large wide tub to be filled with sea- 
' water, then had some of these fish caught, and 
put into it, which was changed every other day. 
In a while they seemed reconciled to their con- 
finement ; then he determined to try the experi- 
ment. 
1 A slender stick, with a fly pinned on at its 
I end, was placed in such a direction on the side of 
I the vessel as the fish could strike it. It was with 
i inexpressible delight that he daily saw these fish 
i exercising their skill in shooting at the fly with 
i an amazing velocity, and never missed their 
i mark.” * 
, As this beautiful little trait of instinctive skill 
! has been often noticed, we have thought that our 
I readers might like to have the very words in which 
I it was originally communicated to the world, and 
i have, therefore, cited the Memoii'of Dr. Schlosser. 
It has since been witnessed by M. Reinwardt, 
i who repeated the facts to M. Valenciennes. Ac- 
j cording to this naturalist, the Chinese inhabitants 
of Java are fond of keeping these little fishes in 
vessels of glass and porcelain for their amusement ; 
frequently suspending an insect by a thread, or 
fastening it to a stick above the margins. 
We think it not improbable that several other 
species of this Family, especially those in which 
the muzzle is produced, would be found to pos- 
sess, and to make use of a similar instinct, if 
* Phil. Trans. 1764, vol. liv. p. 89. 
