190 LIFE OF DEAN BUCK LAND. [ch. vii. 
Aquarium. Thus he describes gurnards as “ closing their 
fins against their sides, and, without moving their tails, 
walking along the bottom, by means of six rays, three 
on each pectoral fin, which they placed successively on the 
ground. Their great heads and bodies seemed to throw 
hardly any weight on these slender rays or feet, being 
suspended in water and having their weight further 
diminished by their swimming bladder.” A flagstone, to 
which he gave the name “ Ichthyopatolites,” was sent to 
the Professor from a coal shaft at Mostyn, with an impres¬ 
sion on it like the trackway of a fish, crawling along the 
bottom by means of its fins. 
The late Rev. Gilbert Pleathcote, Sub-Warden of Win¬ 
chester, used to tell the following story in connection with 
the Professor’s observations on the locomotion of fishes. 1 
Dr. Buckland was Mr. Heathcote’s guest at a New 
College “ gaudy ” dinner, when a turbot was brought on the 
table. The Doctor, being at that time interested in the 
question of the movement of fishes, said, “ I should like 
that fine fellow’s head and shoulders to examine—just 
what I wanted : do you think I can have it ? ” 
“ Certainly,” said his host, and, when the fish was 
removed to the side-table, he offered to have it put on 
one side for him. 
“ Thank you,” said the Professor, “ but I would rather 
cut it off myself, as I can tell better what I want.” So up 
he jumped, napkin in hand, and in a few minutes returned 
in great glee, with the coveted specimen in his hand, 
1 Mr. G. W. Heathcote had observed that a pike can creep along 
the grass. 
