Volume 1

The history of British fishes / [Robert Hamilton].

  • Hamilton, Robert, M.D.
Date:
[1876]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of British fishes / [Robert Hamilton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of some shade of earthy-broNvn, or of greyish sa.. 1 colour; this is broken by dots and blotclies, eithk.r light or dark, blackish or reddish, but always so disposed as to resemble those under shades, as they may be called, which are caused by the inequalities of the ground, and the presence of jiarticles of dif- ferent tints that may be upon it. Thus, whether we contemplate the God of Nature in his more sublime productious, or in those provisions which lie makes for the well-being of his humblest creatures, the same principle of design, the same perfection in execution, is equally conspicuous.” (i. 313.) In the instances hitherto referred -to, it will be observed that the changes appear to be speedily ])roduced, and rajiidly altered again ; and this solely througli the agency of different shades of light. It must not, however, be supposed, that these form the only eircunistances in which change of colour presents itself. j\lr. Yarrell states, that he had obtained a variety of Perch from ponds in Yorkshire, which, when received, were of a uni- form slate-grey colour, with a silvery tint; and tliis peculiarity of tint was retained when the living fish are transferred from the park-ponds to other waters, (i. 5.) “ In certain waters,” says Sir. Grif- fith, “ the shades of the Pike sometimes vary, and it becomes yellow, with black spots; according to Schwcnckfeld, some are perfectly white.” (Griff. Cnv., X. 4Gj.)-Once more. Sir Humphry Davy, ‘‘ I lave known fish—trouts—from some iak('s ji I, land, mottled in a most singular way, theii