progressive motion. These motions have been microsco pically observed by Leuwenhoek (Phil. Trans. vol. iv.). 'Eels migrate from the salt water, of different sizes; but I believe never, when they are above a foot long, and the great mass of them are only from two and a half to four inches. They feed, grow, and fatten, in fresh water. In small rivers they are seldom very large; but in large deep lakes they become as thick as a man's arm, or even leg; and all those of a considerable size attempt to return to the sea in October or November. Those that are not of the largest size, pass the winter in the deepest parts of the mud of rivers and lakes, and do not seem to eat much, and remain, I believe, almost torpid. Their increase is certainly not known in any given time, but must depend on the quantity of their food; but it is probable that they do not become of the largest size, from the smallest, in one or even two seasons. As very large eels, after having migrated, never return to the river again, they must (for it cannot be supposed that they all die immediately in the sea) remain in salt water; and there is great probability that they are then confounded with the conger, which is found of different colours and sizes, from the smallest to the largest, from a few ounces to one hundred pounds weight.' I shall conclude this paper with some observations of Mr. Jesse, on the hybernation of eels. That eels hybernate during the cold months, there can, I think, be little doubt, few or none being caught at that time. I have endeavoured also, but without success, to procure eels in the winter, from those places in the river Thames where, I have every reason to believe, they go to spawn. I read an account which, if correct, would serve to prove what I have now stated. A boy at Arthurstown, in the county of Wexford, perceived something of a very unusual appearance, floundering upon the sand at low water. Upon a nearer approach, he found it to be a quart bottle, which showed many symptoms of animation. He seized it, and brought it in. It was found to contain an eel so much thicker than the neck of the bottle that it must be supposed the eel made its lodgement there, when it was younger, and of course smaller. It was necessary to break the bottle, for the purpose of liberating the fish. 'If this account be true, it goes to prove, in a curious way, as far as one instance can do so, the propensity which eels have to hybernate during the cold months. It also seems to prove that they do this in the tide-way if they can, and that they neither feed nor deposit their spawn till the season of hybernation is over. It is indeed a general opinion among old fishermen that eels cannot bear cold.'* NINTH WEEK-FRIDAY. NEW-YEAR'S DAY. It is said to be the custom, in some nations, to mourn at the birth of a child, because of the anticipated evils which it is destined to endure in this vale of tears. This is, doubtless, to form a false estimate of human life, in which, on the average, pleasure far predominates over pain; and surely the contrary custom of rejoicing when another rational and immortal creature is brought into existence, is much more justifiable. But I am not certain that the same principle will apply to the birth of a new year. There are so many recollections of past delinquencies and omissions, and of losses that can never be repaired, to unite with anticipations of the future-so much to regret as well as to fear,—that the thoughtless levity with which this first day o another annual cycle is generally ushered in, seems to be altogether misplaced. We should certainly do, what is at once more reasonable and more edifying, were we to spend the first hours of a new year in solemn meditation, both on the year which has fleeted away, and on that which has just commenced. But, in such an exercise, while there is cause of self* Jesse's Gleanings, 3d series, pp. 69, 70. accusation and of sorrow, there is also ground for gratitude, for hope, and for enjoyment. The protecting care of an over-ruling Providence, is a fruitful source of these feelings, whether we regard external Nature, or reflect on our own individual experience of the guidance and protection of a Father's unseen hand. When Nature lies clothed in the cold and cheerless mantle of winter, all seems dreary, and desolate, and hopeless. She is, however, only in a state of repose. Rest was necessary to recruit her exhausted strength. But during her repose, the Hand of Him who 'slumbereth not,' has been working in secret. The germs of future plants and flowers have been wonderfully preserved: insects, reptiles, birds, and beasts, have all partaken of a Father's care; and his rational creatures have been enabled, by employing the higher powers with which He has gifted them, to provide for the supply of their more numerous necessities and comforts. And now a new scene appears. The sun has changed his course, and begins again to take a wider course in the heavens. Soon his warmth, and glory, and genial influence will return. Nature will burst anew into life, and beauty, and joy. The husbandman will once more ply his labours, while hope cheers his toil; and, all around, the cattle will crop the tender herbage as it rises, and the bleating lambs play amidst the flocks scattered over the neighbouring hill; while The lark, high poised, Makes heaven's blue concave vocal with his lay. As the year advances, summer will again smile, and will cast from her green lap a profusion of flowers; and, when she has fulfilled her course, autumn will return crowned with plenty. Last of all, amidst a thousand varied and most bountiful preparations for the sustenance of animal and vegetable life, during the rigours of an ungenial sky, winter will arrive, and once more prepare the earth, by a night of rest, for the labours of the coming year. that it must be supposed the eel made its lodgement there, when it was younger, and of course smaller. It was necessary to break the bottle, for the purpose of liberating the fish. 'If this account be true, it goes to prove, in a curious way, as far as one instance can do so, the propensity which eels have to hybernate during the cold months. It also seems to prove that they do this in the tide-way if they can, and that they neither feed nor deposit their spawn till the season of hybernation is over. It is indeed a general opinion among old fishermen that eels cannot bear cold.'* NINTH WEEK-FRIDAY. NEW-YEAR'S DAY. IT is said to be the custom, in some nations, to mourn at the birth of a child, because of the anticipated evils which it is destined to endure in this vale of tears. This is, doubtless, to form a false estimate of human life, in which, on the average, pleasure far predominates over pain; and surely the contrary custom of rejoicing when another rational and immortal creature is brought into existence, is much more justifiable. But I am not certain that the same principle will apply to the birth of a new year. There are so many recollections of past delinquencies and omissions, and of losses that can never be repaired, to unite with anticipations of the future-so much to regret as well as to fear,—that the thoughtless levity with which this first day o another annual cycle is generally ushered in, seems to be altogether misplaced. We should certainly do, what is at once more reasonable and more edifying, were we to spend the first hours of a new year in solemn meditation, both on the year which has fleeted away, and on that which has just commenced. But, in such an exercise, while there is cause of self* Jesse's Gleanings, 3d series, pp. 69, 70. accusation and of sorrow, there is also ground for gratitude, for hope, and for enjoyment. The protecting care of an over-ruling Providence, is a fruitful source of these feelings, whether we regard external Nature, or reflect on our own individual experience of the guidance and protection of a Father's unseen hand. When Nature lies clothed in the cold and cheerless mantle of winter, all seems dreary, and desolate, and hopeless. She is, however, only in a state of repose. Rest was necessary to recruit her exhausted strength. But during her repose, the Hand of Him who 'slumbereth not,' has been working in secret. The germs of future plants and flowers have been wonderfully preserved insects, reptiles, birds, and beasts, have all partaken of a Father's care; and his rational creatures have been enabled, by employing the higher powers with which He has gifted them, to provide for the supply of their more numerous necessities and comforts. And now a new scene appears. The sun has changed his course, and begins again to take a wider course in the heavens. Soon his warmth, and glory, and genial influence will return. Nature will burst anew into life, and beauty, and joy. The husbandman will once more ply his labours, while hope cheers his toil; and, all around, the cattle will crop the tender herbage as it rises, and the bleating lambs play amidst the flocks scattered over the neighbouring hill; while The lark, high poised, Makes heaven's blue concave vocal with his lay. As the year advances, summer will again smile, and will cast from her green lap a profusion of flowers; and, when she has fulfilled her course, autumn will return crowned with plenty. Last of all, amidst a thousand varied and most bountiful preparations for the sustenance of animal and vegetable life, during the rigours of an ungenial sky, winter will arrive, and once more prepare the earth, by a night of rest, for the labours of the coming year. |