The StUdy of Darwinism.
A Norwegian admirer of Darwin, wishing to apply his theory of the limit of adapt ability of a species to its environment, procured a herring from a neighbouring fjord and carried it home in a tub of sea water.
He renewed the water daily for some time, and gradually reduced the quantity, with so little inconvenience to the herring that he concluded that the fish might in time learn to breathe atf undiluted with water in the same way as man.
It turned out as he expected, and the water was finally turned out of the tub, never to be replaced. Henrik next removed the fish from the tub and placed it on the ground, where it flopped about very awkwardly at first, but soon learned to move freely and rapidly.
In a little while the herring was able to follow its master without difficulty, and then it became his constant companion about the streets of the city. On a certain unfortunate day Henrik bad occasion to cross a dilapidated bridge which spanned an arm of the haibour.
The herring coming gracefully along, heedless of danger, now and again springing at flies and insects, for which it had aquired an especial fondness, missed its footing, slipped through a crack into the water beneath, and was drowned.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18901106.2.172.2
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 6 November 1890, Page 42
Word Count
220The StUdy of Darwinism. Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 6 November 1890, Page 42
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