The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-08
DO FISH INDULGE In SLEEP?
4 QUESTION SPRUNG on UNCLE
SANS FISH EXPERTS.
A Number Undecided ut First ES-
pert Declares That Fish DO siumber,
and Gives Reasons for Ills Belief
Information for Questioning Anglers.

and Gives Reasons Tor His bcnet--
Information for Questioning Anglers.
WASHINGTON, Dec. do fish sleep?
This question has been puzzling the ex-
perts at the United States Fish Commission
for the past week and some of them are not
yet absolutely certain whether fish indulge
in slumber or are sufferers from insomnia.
Several amateur anglers had a discussion
in the lobby of an uptown hotel the oeuos
day on this phase of the life of the finn,
tribe, and being unable TO decide the matter
to their satisfaction they made an appea,
to the Fish Commission to aid them in their
difficulty.
A messenger was sent with n note to
George NJ. Bowers, United States Fish
Commissioner, asking his opinion ON the
subject. Mr.. Bowers was absent from
his desk and the messenger was referred
to the various scientists who have made
fish culture a study, with the statement
that they were the proper officials to whom
to apply for this Information.
Mr.. Bowers. il was explained, being the
executive officer of the commission and
not a close student Of the habits and GUS
toms of fish, was naturally limited in his
knowledge of the ways of these denizens b
of the water. He had hauled in many
black bass from the Potomac River near
his home in West Virginia, but was not
an expert on the life of the many varieties
Of fish over which he has supervision.
When the question was placed before the
scientists of the commission, there was
a long, painful pause. and hurried question:
ing glances were exchanged between them.
After a great deal Of hesitation a discus
sion was started. at the end of which these
wise men were no nearer an answer to the
question than the propounders of II.
Whether fish indulge in peaceful slumber.
the same as human beings and terrestrial
animals, was a problem that had not received
careful consideration from the experts.
Several opinions were expressed and many
theories advanced, but arguments failed TO
prove them.
One of the learned men upon the impulse
Of the moment, declared that fish did not
sleep because they did not close their eyes.
A colleague called the attention of his
brother scientist to the fact that fish had
no eyelids consequently il was impossible
for them 20 conceal their organ Of sight.
This seemed to explode the theory Of
the first learned man. Finally the scicr-
lists acknowledged their i~naliiity 10 answer
the question off-hand, but Asserted that
a careful study would be madc oi the matter.
They werc confident that a correct -uiution
would result
Before a practical tosj wa maGo, an
absent member of the COMMISSIONS staY
returned from a business trip ami rescued
the experts from their difficulty. lie do
clarcd that fish slept and forthwith pre-
sented his argument.
He said that the first thing 10 consider
was the meaning of the word "r.c"p.' That
had to bp definitely determined. HiI
notion was that in all living creatures there
was more or loss activity, mcujal and bodily
which nocessita,cd re-t and 20 secure proper
rest sleep was Indispensable.
Fish were active and for a great part
Of their lives were moving about, which
required a certain amount Of rest from
physical excrtion. A. regards mental re-
pose. this expert was not ia a position
to express a decided opinion.
II there was any mental exhaustion
among the finny tribe h" ~ald il might M
confined 20 their efforts to resist the temp
tstion of swallowiug the bait offered them
by the angler. He secuted the idea that
FISH did not sleep because they did not close
their eyes,
In support Of this position he argued
that human beings have been known 10
sleep without dropping the eyelids. And
among animals il was not an uncommon
occurrence FOR them to sleep with eyes
Wild open
Continuing. the expert said hat he a
observed f-i, ln an aquarium which gave
every evidence that they w"r'. INDUCING
IN sleep They would rrmain for a long
time a. the bottom 81 a tank. rH-ting in an
upright position upon their tails. which.
while not a comfortable attitude. was not
unlike that # certain human beings at
times ~ other forms Of r'pp-s Oh lay
on their sidr- and aI-D rested their boiies
upon mos and %rhruhbaIN Boz ia" tank
The habit- II th" catfish buIlheai ant
tunhsh were mentioned O. another Hluztra-
uon 81 sleeping g.. buuug 'he winter
-'saSpn thc-r rprsir - 80 I' 'a' bpuom ~
he wai.I AMI holuI"r aH,.H uuul they
ls-,um" runa-vi % m4d ami rI"re remain
duuny rhe ould pl.pi IuH wee certainly
-b-rp iuduiR'si boo b., fU,u art b. vac a
natural mfrrruDf fUb. .'.'r -s7 meme -
r-h v.tr |,YuHp.I,l . .I'l. .s ln ihs
ustun" OF -l'-T.
I.s sae 'u' g.r.IH ....H r~'arh~t.
sad lla -i'HU... u,.. H.,H|HF. cleo lAt
gltru lIl- pIa-. ~ .-. .f. ...f. HIty