hem
appearing all speckled over with golden dust; others are pure silvery
white; some are spotted with red and white; and a fourth variety is
black and white, spotted.

Many of these, of a large size, may be seen in the ponds at the royal
gardens of the Tuileries, at Paris. They are perfectly tame, and follow
individuals round the ponds in hopes of being fed.

THE SALMON.

Some years ago, a herdsman, on a very sultry day in July, while looking
for a missing sheep, observed an eagle posted on a bank that overhung a
pool. Presently the bird stooped and seized a salmon, and a violent
struggle ensued: when the herdsman reached the spot, he found the eagle
pulled under water by the strength of the fish; and the calmness of the
day, joined to his drenched plumage, rendered him unable to extricate
himself. With a stone, the peasant broke the eagle's pinion, and
separated the spoiler from his victim, which was dying in his grasp.

THE HERRING.

About fifty years ago, the shoals of herrings came into Loch Urn,
Scotland, in such amazing quantities, that, from the narrows to the
head, about two miles, it was quite full. So many of them were forced
ashore by the pressure, that the beach, for four miles round the head,
was covered with them from six to eighteen inches deep; and the ground
under water, as far as could be seen, was in the same condition.
Indeed, so dense and forcible was the shoal, as to carry before it
every other kind of fish; even ground-fish, skate, flounders, and
plaice, were driven on shore with the force of the herrings, and
perished there.

It is a curious fact, that herrings die the moment they are taken out
of the water; whence originated the adage, which is much used, _as
dead as a herring_.

THE SHARK.

This formidable animal is the dread of mankind in the seas where it is
found. There is no safety in bathing where this monster abounds.

The late Sir Brooke Watson was at one time swimming at a little
distance from a ship, when he observed a shark approaching towards him.
Struck with terror at its appearance, he immediately cried out for
assistance. A rope was instantly thrown out for him; and even while the
men were in the act of pulling him up the ship's side, the shark darted
after him, and at a single snap derived him of one leg.

In the West Indies, the negroes have frequently the hardihood to engage
the shark in single combat, by diving beneath him, and, in ascending,
stab him befo