The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-02-26
Do Fish Ever Sleepa

DO fish ever sleep? This question
has been puzzling the experts at the
United States Fish Commission for
the pact week, and some Of them arc
not yet absolutely certain whethe,
tish indulge in slumber or are sufferers
from insomnia, says awriter in the
New York Sun.
Several amateur anglers had dis
cussion in the lobby Of an uptown
hotel the other day on this phase of
the lie of The Huny tribe, aud being
unable to decide the matter to their
satisfaction they made an appeal to
the Fish Commission to aid them in
their difficulty.
A messenger was sent with note
to George NJ. Bowers, United States
Fish Commissioner. asking his opinion
On the subject. Mr.. Bowers was ab-
sent from the desk and the messenger
was referred to the various scientists
who have made fish culture a study
VIII tho statement that they were the
proper officials to whom to apply for
this information.
Mr.. Bowers, it was explained, being
the executive officer of the commission
and not CLOSE student of the habits
and customs Of fish, wss naturally
limited in his knowledge of the ways
OF these denizens Of the water. He
had hauled in many black bass from
the Potomac River near his homo 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 be-
fore the scientists Of the commission
there was long, painful pause, and
hurried questioning glanoes were ex-
changed between them. After great
deal Of hes itation discussion was
started at the end Of which these wise
men were no nearer an answer to the
question than the propounders of it.
Whether fish indulge in peaceful
slumber, the same as human beings
and terrestrial animals, was problem
that had rot received careful consider
alton from the experts. Several
opinions were expressed and many
theories advanced, bu> 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 it was impossible for
them to conceal their organ of sight.
This seemed to explode the theory
Of the first learned man. Finally the
scientists acknowledged their inability
to answer the question off hand, but
asserted that correct solution would
result.
Before practical test was made
an absent member Of the commission s
staff returned from business trip
and rescued the experts from the diff
Guilty. He declared that fish slept
and forthwith presented his argu-
ment.
He said that the first thing to con-
slider was the meaning Of the word
"sleep." That had to be definitely
determined. His notion vas that in
all living creatures there was more OF
less activity, mental and bodily, which
necessitsted rest and to secure proper
rest sleep was indispensable.
Fish were active and for great
part of their lives were moving about,
which required certain amount Of
rest from physical exertion. AS re-
CARDS mental repose this expert was
not in position to express decided
opinion.
Ii there was any mental exhaustion