The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-24

generations rom oNdChIHg suCIi Utts d'
have undergone the process; because
new bark possesses degree of vitality
which repulses them. This operation
has, moreover, the effect of augmenling
very materially, the growth OF The wood,
especially Of those trees winch have ia
time remained stationary, on account oi
thick. deadcned bark, which splits with
great difficulty, even by the force Of veg
citation. A tree which was operated up
on by NJ. Mcnevillc, now two years
since, and several in the Camp dc Mars,
ab1u, one year, are this year covered
with new blrk--fr3sh and rejnvinaicd.
completely purgeG from sc0iytes, they
are now in full and vigorous vegetation"
Heretofore the Fish has not enjoyed
n very high reputation Car intelligence,
and their historians are not apt to be very
flauering. In The animal scale, the oqua-
tic tribe has been placed very low, and
phrcnologists have not failed 10 attribute
this to their small volume of brain, end
the absence Of cerebral bumps, which, in
their system, preside over intellect.
Aristotle told Of fish who buiil nests !;
hu, The idea was lrellcd rather cavalierly.
NJ. Coste has just published the fact by
experiment, and he has ascerisned that
the tpiaocae, not only constructs its nest
with skill worthy Of the swallow
bu, having deposited its eggs in it, il
watches over their Development, and de-
tends Them with courageous soliriiule,
in which It exhibits degree Of inielIi-
gcnce, judgment, and parental love. OF
which We have heretofore been lar Rom
believing the i.l capable.
lie recently placed in some circular
ponds in the grounds attached to the OF
icgc de France, a large number Of male
and female epinocles, taken just before
they were ready 10 spawn. A few days
aCer they had been placed in their new
hobilalior, he observed that several of the
males chose Cor permanent location, a
certain part at the bottom Of the pond,
where they commenced 10 display re-
mark able activity. NJ. Coste placed him
self in a position 10 observe them, and to
assure himself of the object Of their ma.
nTuvres, and of their constant return TO
the same chosen spot; and lie was not
long in discovering that the sole occupa-
ton Of each Of them consisted in gather.
ing materials for the building Of nests to
the construction Of which they devoted a
remarkable industry. Each male who
engages ia this enterprise, heaps up in
the place Of his choice, bits of herbs, &c,
which he frequently brings in his mouth
from quite disiance-and with which
he commences the formation Of kind of
carpet, But as the materials of which
this first part Of his edifcc is composed
arc liable TO be dislodged by the move.
ment OF the water, he has the prcrau.
ton 10 lay upon them a quantity of peb.
bles-which he also brings in his mouth
20 hold them down. Then, to Give TO
all these united clements a cohesion
which shall bind them together, he re-.
peaicdly gldes slowly over them with a
vlbraIory motion, and thus agglutinaies
them with the mucus from his skin. Bv
this means the collected materials n,
length form a solid foundation on which
he can afterwards rear the rest of his ed.
ilice. In order to assure himself if every
part is sufficiently united, lie agiates his
pecloral fins rapidity, thus producing cur.
rents which he directs towards his nest,
II he pcrceivcs any portion of it to be
loose, he forces them down with his nosc
and aggIulinates them anew. He now
selects piece Of wood, then n bn Of
siraw-which he always carries with his
mouih-and places them on his founda.
ton. lie thus proceeds until his edifce
Is hnlshed-in which he has taken good
care TO have proper opening TO admit of
the Tree ingress and egress of the female.
And having all this prepared, the male,
(as NJ. Cosie POLITICALLY expresses ii.)
wearing the rich livery orlovc, approaches
group of females, and invites one of
them TO follow him. He makes immedj.
alely for his nest, as if 10 point out the
way-plunges his head in the oneninp.
which he enlarges in order 10 render lis
entrance more easy, and then gallanllv
yields il 10 his mate. lie thus success.
lively draws several females to his nest.
and scrurulously boards up the spawn
OF each. He is afterwards the sole puor.
dian of this precious trust; for the f..
males, SO far from taking any care of their
eggs, are their most dangerous enemies
joining the numerous coalitions whose
constant cndcavor i, is to pilage The nos,
and deyour the eggs. 1t may readily be
imagined, then, that this is no easy task.
And when. al last, the little ones arc
Matched. he still continues TO watch the
nest, and does not give Them their liberty
until they are strong enough 10 defend
themselves