, 1882-01-13
Musical Fishes.

OF Screaming" fishes we have a curl
GUS notice in Notes and Queries Second
Series, vol. 2, p. l09). The writer states;
In the early part of December | called
upon Quaker gentleman at Darlington,
| for whom / waited in room III which
stood small aquarium containing,
along with the usual allotment of sea-
anemones, stGr-fshcs, ETC., five fishes not
lager than minnows-a species of blen
nies, as | was informed. After watching
their motions few moments, as they
foated near the surface of the water, |
stopped down to examine them more
they simultaneously set up IA shrek of
terror, so loud and piercing that / sprung
back as if electrified. | think no human
being could hardly have set mp a louder
or shriller scream than did those tiny
inhabitants of the water"
Sir James Emerson Tennant, in his
account of Ceylon, relates: I'm the
evening when the moon had risen, took
boat and accompanied the fishermen to
a spot where musical sounds were said to
be heard issuing from the bottom of a
lake, and which the natives supposed to
proceed from some fish peculiar to the
locality. | distinctly heard the sounds
in question. They came up from the
water like the gentle thrill of musical
chord, or the faint vibrations of wine
glass when its rim is rubbed by wet
| finger. 1t was not one sustained note,
| but Il multitude of tiny sounds, each
clear and distinct in itself, the sweetest
| krol1n ,,,;,olipr, with tha lannnuk LnoO
evidently and sensibly from the depths of
the lake, and appeared to be produced
by mollusca, and not by fish"
The alosa belonging to the Cludoidp)
has been noticed for its love of music and
dancing by ancient writers. Aristotle
says that it no sooner catches the sound
of music or sees dancing than it irresisti.
| bly, led to join the sport, and cut capers
and throw summersaults out of the water.
Elian declares that the sprightly con-
duct imputed to the shad by Aristotle
was well known to fishermen, who tax
ing advantage of it, fastened little bells
to their nets, by the tinkling of which
above the surface the fish within hearing
were attracted to the spot and netted
without difficulty.
A somewhat similar mode of catching
fish is had resource to by the boatmen of
the Danube, who arch across and keep
tense upon strong stretchers hung with
grelots, floating net, and 50 ring in
great number of fish by the tinkling of
these bells. Rondolet, the naturalist,
gives romantic instance Of the fondness
for music of fishes. When stayingat Vichy
he took walk with some friends in
quest of alosa, along the banks OF the
Allier, with violin in hand ready for a
serenade. The air was still, the moon
and stars brilliant. When the party had
come to favorable spot for the opera
ton, net was carefully drawn across
the stream while the yiolinist, putting
the instrument to his chin, struck up a
lively waltz. Awonderful effect ensued.
Scarcely had he drawn his bow when the
sleeping surface of the waters began to
move; alosa backs appeared ripplirg the
silyery expanse, and after few strokes a
large party of fish might be seen rising
and leaping into the water.
\ writer in the Naturalists' Library
observes: "The fondness of seals for
musical sounds is curious popularity
in their nature, and has been to me often
IL subject of interest and amusement.
During a residence of some years in the
Hebudes had many opportunities Of
witnessing this peculiarity; aud in fact
could call forth its manifestation with
pleasure. In walking along the shore in
tho calm of summer afternoon few
notes from my flute would bring half a
score of seals within thirty or forty
yards of me, and there they would swim
above water like so many black dogs,
evidently delighted with the sounds.
For half an hour, or indeed, for any
length of time / chose, | could fix them
to the spot, and when moved along the
waters edge they would follow me with
eagerness, like the dolphins who. it is
said, attended Arion, rs if anxious to
prolong the enjoyment L have fire.
quently witnessed the same effect when
out on n boat excursion. The sound of
flute, or common fife, blown by ono
of the boatmen, was no sooner heard
than half dozen would start up within
few yards, wheeling round us as long
as the music played, and disappear
ing, one after another, when the music
ceased.
4 great many ppOple' lives are like the