Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-05-07
Ar,iaoial Pronunciation Of Fishes.

The New York Evening Post publishes IN
the Reports Of tho American Institute a
series Of articles on the habits Of fishes, as
given by DR.. Adams, who has had large eS-
periencc In the propagation Of fish In ariiii-
cial ponds. lie has eight ponds, stocked
with various kinds Of fish, and his experience
in the business makes his reports OF value.
We propose to give, as we have room, those
reports relating to the fishes common in the
ponds and streams Of Old Oxford.
The Bull HAD. (Caiiui GObio,)
l. universally known over the whole con.
tinent, beng adapted TO all ATTITUDES. Its
n disgusting looking fish, having an olive
colorcd body. with black back. The head
is out Of proportion to the rest Of the body,
and has long siekl9-shaped spine on each
side oiit. They seldom exceed twelve inches
IN length. The habit Of this hsh, when
about to deposit its oya, - to build a regu-
lar nest IN the mud, which il carefully lines
with aquatic grass in this the female de-
posits her eggs, which in due time hatch.
aud are protected with great care aud ap.
parent anxiety by both male aud female.
until large enough 10 look out for them
selves. These nests may be found all along
the shores Of the Hudson river. When
taken from the water il grun,s, by Initiating
the glls and muscles Of the mouth.
TnE Eat, (MHrgnd AEgniia.)
In one Of my ponds placed stock OF
Of three thousand cells, weighing from slI
ounces 10 two pounds each, and cndcayurcd
20 study their habits During the day they
partially conceal themselves under stones
stumps and mud. exposing the head only "a
view, AMI in this manner they watch tor
their prey. They delight particularly IL
still, muddy water notwithstanding natu'
ralists have decided that they ara yiyiparous
aud that Jumps Of little cells have been found
in them, the size Of iino sewing needle,
have come to the conclusion that 10 Is n mis-
take, and arose from the fact that eels ar'
often infested with small worms. which have
been taken for small cells. They are un'
douhtelly oviyarous. and 60 10 brackisl
water 10 deposit their oya. found IN the
fall my cells all left the pond, not one ~
naming to breed m u, and many returned
the following spring Of all nros. ! ther
stocked the pond again, and in the fall place,
fne .alt in !, the cells then remained, De
posted their oa in tie pond, which ia du,
time hatchcd there, and produced n grra
quantity OF young cells. | AN convinced
though I have never seen either spawn VI
milt IA ecls that they have all the necessary
parts Of generation. n well as other hsh
they are very tenacious 81 liin. | hay'
known them 90 live I've days in graS
meadow. and whcn returned 10 tie water
swim with their usual rapidity. hav
placed them ono hundred yards from ih'
pond, and found that they would invarinbl!
turn towards the water and make their va,
20 the nearest point. c,inoing q strong mi
gratory instinct. I'll. are supposed TO b
spread over the world more universally thar
any other animal except man, bat none AZ
seen in situations where they cannot got q
.alt water. For example, they arr not ioun'
m Lake Erie. above the Falls ol Niagara
FEELS were never sccn above tho falls II
Paterson, until the canal was cut eve
since that period they have hcen found u
Immense quantities aud ot exquisite quality
They are nothing more nor less than water
scrrcni.. and may b. called the connecting
link between amphihiDus and aquatic rep
tiles They have been caught in New ior
harbor weighing thirteen pounds. a, al
article Of food they are extremely nutrition
ard rich, bat contain large quantity d
oil, and unless eaten with an acid, are ap
10 occasion arrangements OF the digcsiiS
organs. Eels are covered with a mueou
substance. which makes them dihcull /
hold. aud has lei To the notion that the
are devoid Of scales. Thi. j. an error, as
have discovered them readily with a magnI
iyins glass.
Mrruopsr CoSrrHNcr. Al the confer