Why have the ray and shark such extraordinary strength · of sight?

Because the eye rests on a thin cartilaginous pulley, which is attached to the bottom of the orbit, and thus increases its motions. In other fishes, the motions of the eye are confined.

Why do not fish sleep?

Because they have no eye-lids, nor any membrane to close and cover their eyes, as animals that sleep have. Why is the internal ear of fishes distinguished from that of the other three classes of red-blooded animals? Because it grows as the fish increases in size, and consequently its magnitude is in the direct ratio of the bulk and age of the animal.

Why are fishes supposed to possess a feeling analogous to the sense of touch?

Because most of them feel acutely on the abdomen, and in the lips. It is doubtful whether their tongue be an organ of taste, and in what degree it may serve that purpose.-Blumenbach.

Why is the reproduction of fishes so enormous? Because, probably, a great number of species live in succession on each other, according to their strength and voracity.

The following may convey some idea of the prolific powers of fish ;

Eggs.

203,109

3686,760

The rays and sharks seem to produce but a very limited number. The utmost, stated by different ob

servers, is 26 and 30. It should be added, that there is no estimated proportion between the number of eggs deposited, and the number of fish which arrive at maturity. The eggs are eagerly sought after by other fishes, by aquatic birds, and reptiles; and in the young state, they are pursued by their own species, as well as by beings belonging to other classes.

Why do fishes materially increase in size, previous to the approach of the spawning season?

Because they may be the better enabled to undergo the fatigues and fastings by which spawning is accompanied. The muscles then acquire size and strength, especially those connected with the tail, the principal organ of progressive motion, so that the body behind appears plump and round. A great deal of fat is deposited between the muscles, but especially on the belly, the flesh of which is, at this time, of considerable thickness.

Why does this fatness decrease, as the spawn advances to maturity?

Because the fat is withdrawn for its nourishment; the belly becomes little else than skin, and while the deluded epicure, upon seeing the large roe, imagines that his fish is in the best condition, it has actually reached the very maximum of worthlessness. When the business of spawning is over, the leanness of the fish then becomes apparent, and the extraordinary muscular exertion which it has undergone, is marked by the leanness of its head and the lankness of its tail. Why do fishes deposit the spawn towards the margin of a river, &c.?

Because in the shallow water the numerous small animals reside, which constitute the most suitable food for the tender fry.

Again, the cod and haddock, the mackerel and herring, annually leave the deeper and less accessible parts of the ocean, the region of the zoophytic tribe,

and deposit their spawn within that zone of marine vegetation which fringes our coasts, extending from near the high-water mark of neap-tides, to a short distance beyond the low-water mark of spring-tides. Amidst the shelter in this region, afforded by the groves of arborescent fuci, the young fish were wont, in comfort, to spend their infancy; but since these plants have been so frequently cut down to procure materials for the manufacture of kelp, and the requisite protection withdrawn, the fisheries have suffered in consequence.

Why are fishes caught by baits?

Because they are deceived by analogy, considering the identity as perfect, when there are only a few points of resemblance.--Fleming.

We may observe, that the well-known voraciousness of fishes, the eagerness with which they seize a metal button, or any glittering object-the whole art of artificial bait and fly-fishing, all seem to point out the organ of sight, as the principal instrument by which they discover their food.

Why do anglers maintain that fly-fishing is not a species of cruelty?

Because the hook is usually fixed in the cartilaginous part of the mouth, where there are no nerves; and a proof that the sufferings of a hooked fish cannot be great, is found in the circumstance, that though a trout has been hooked and played for some minutes, he will often, after his escape with the artificial fly in his mouth, take the natural fly, and feed as if nothing had happened; having, apparently, learnt from the experiment, that the artificial fly is not the proper food. Pikes have been caught with four or five hooks in their mouths and tackle which they had broken only a few minutes before.-Sir II. Davy, in Salmonia, or Days on Fly-fishing."

Why are anglers recommended to fish early and late in the summer months?

Because, generally, fish do not then feed in the middle of the day, unless the weather be very dark and gloomy-during drizzling rain-or a light breeze of wind.

Why are fishes considered nocturnal animals?

Because they are active during the night, and in the day remain in a state of repose. Hence the inhabitants of islands and coasts, who live on fish, choose the night for catching them.-Blumenbach.

Why are some fishes said to be amphibious?

Because they are capable of living either in fresh or salt water at pleasure. Such fish, in an economical point of view, are extremely valuable, as they furnish to the inhabitants of this and other countries, an inmense supply of food. The salmon is an instance in Scotland, where from one river, (Tay) 50,000 head of full-sized fish have been procured in one season. the Greenlanders, their salmon is, perhaps, more valuable; as it is dried hard, then broken and pounded, and formed into bread, as well as consumed in a fresh or salted state.

To

Why are fishes generally supposed to attain a great

age ?

Because the element in which they reside, preserves them from the pernicious influence of sudden changes of temperature: the process of ossification, (or growth of bones) is very slow in them; their blood is very cold-and their primary movements tardy. Accordingly, we find the age of the carp has been known to reach 200 years, and the pike to 260. "The marks, however, by which the age of fishes may be determined, remain to be discovered.”—Fleming.

Why does a fish but sellom die a natural death from old age?

Because, during every period of its existence, it is surrounded by foes; and when no longer able to exercise its wonted watchfulness, or exert its power of defence, it falls an easy prey to its more powerful adversaries.

Why are not fishes found in all rivers in mountains? Because they appear to prefer certain altitudes. Thus, in ascending mountains, we may observe, that the fish in the lakes and rivers have their boundaries, as well as the vegetables which cover their surface. Wahlenberg found that the pike and perch disappeared from the rivers of the Lapland Alps, along with spruce fir, and when 3,200 feet below the line of perpetual snow. Ascending 200 feet higher, the gwiniad and the grayling, were no longer to be found in the lakes. Higher up still, or about 2,000 feet below the line of perpetual snow, the char had disappeared; and beyond this boundary, all fishing ceased.

Why is fish oil (of the sprat, pilchard, &c.) very liable to become fætid?

Because, in general, the oil is obtained from the livers of the fish, in which it is lodged in cells; but, as it cannot be procured completely from livers by mere boiling, they are allowed to become a little putrid, that the oil may be more readily extracted, by the rupturing of the cells. Along with the oil various other impurities are obtained, as bile, gelatinous matter, &c. Why have so many absurd stories been told of showers of fishes?

Because it sometimes happens that vivacious fishes, or those capable of surviving a long time out of water, are conveyed to a distance by birds, and left without being killed, on rocks or fields.—Fleming.

Why are some kinds of fish poisonous ?

Because of the quality of the food on which they have subsisted. This is only conjecture, but is supported by the history of the mussel and the oyster,