Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-20
The Talking Fish.

This extraordinary phenomenon In being
exhibited at l9l Pccadilly. 1t has been
generally thought that this was one of the
clever humbugs of the day, but we must say
that On Witnessing its performance, we were
bound 10 own that it WAS one OF the greatest
curiosities Of the age. In the centre OF the
exhibition room, in Pircudllly. Is u huge tub
of an oval shape, containing about three iect
Of water, and in this water Is t" be seen
creature apparently of the seal species, dis
porting itself i'll a most peculiar manner. 1t
j. umphibeous Ii measures about II feet
ia length, and weighs Scwt. ltappearS that
it was caught with much trouble, and at
great personal hazard, by 'Slgnor Cavana
and crew." of the coast Of Africa on the
ith of May. 1854. IL ~ the only individual
Of the species that has ever been exhibited.
.'ln Offering this curious animal to public
view, the proprietor wishes to inform his visi
tors that they are not to contound it with the
marine wolf, ~ it is quite Of different spe
cirs The female. which he has the honor
L. present To the public. obeys the word Of
command, and executes various pertorman-
,,a,, which have caused great admiration to
the first naturai-ts in England, France, and
Portugal. The creature, Notwithstanding
its great ferocty, has with difficulty been
tanned, and in sense domesttated Such
is its present dOclity and obedience, that it
has lett its locality at night in search Of it,
keeper, AMI has laid down to sleep by his
side. Ii is of enormous bulk, has two rows
nf teeth, and is covered with fine hair 1t
only feeds on fish Of which it daily eats the
immense quantity of - lbs. 1t is terOciOuS
aud dangerous, to It's enemy, but docilo to Its
keeper, whose order, and expressions II com
prchcnds, and whose face and hands it kisses
Its intelligence Is so active that it pronounces
several words distinctly" Such is the des-
cripton Of the animal which we received on
entering the room, and as far as our personal
observation went, we can bear testimony t.
the truth of this statement The animal
utters the word. mamma" and papa" dis
tlnctly; it rolls over IN the water repeatedly;
obeys the orders Of its keeper like a dog;
when commanded, il raises its body in IN
upright position, sits upon its tail end, and
kisses hoth the hands Of It's guardian, fol
lows with Its beautiful and intelligent eyes
his motions round the room, aud stretches
some feet over the side Of the tub to kiss his
mouth. IL also extends it, fins or paws, to
shake his hands, and We have little doubt it
could he taught To leave lts tub altogether,
and to move up and down the room, az it
were, arm IN arm with It's master. Its eyes
are larger than those of an OK, its mouth is
most capaclous, and it has two rows Of teeth,
as sharp aud ~ strong as those of tiger.
At night, the animal Sleep on damp boards,
with blanket on two. The fins, or paws,
have each five fingers, though the whole are
covered with thick skin. 1t has two tails,
which are constantly in motion TO guide its
eyulutions around the tub. IL has no visible
ears, and yet it appears to understand every
order gwen (?j-HriFa Litr in London.