Sir Everard Home is firmly convinced that the animal is hermaphrodite and impregnates itself: this, though possible, appears to me very strange in so large an animal. If Mr. Baker will determine this point, I can promise him an immortality amongst our philosophical anglers and natural historians; and if he will give us the history of water-flies, imitated by fly-fishers, he will command our immediate gratitude. Pray communicate this letter to him with my best wishes, and with my hopes that his talents, which are very great, will be applied to enlighten us. I can give you no news; the weather is dreadful, and the blacks and yellows are descending in fog. I long for the fresh air of your mountains. God bless you, my dear Poole. Many--many happy new years to you. Pray remember me, with the compliments of this day, to your excellent neighbours at Stowey. Your affectionate friend, H. DAVY. TO THE SAME. MY DEAR POOLE, Park Street, March 26. Your letter has given me great pleasure; first, because you, who are an enlightened judge in such matters, approve of my humble contribution to agriculture; and, secondly, because it makes me acquainted with your kind feelings, health, and Mr. Baker's interesting pursuits. Mr. Baker appears to me to have distinctly established the point that the eel and conger are of different species; and from his zeal and activity, I hope the curious problem of the generation of these animals will be solved. I shall expect with impatience the results of his enquiries. Now for my health, my very dear friend. I wish I could speak more favourably; I certainly do not lose ground, but I am doubtful if I gain any; but I do not despair. I am going, by the advice of my physicians, to try another Continental journey. If I get considerably better, I shall winter in Italy, where, in this case, I shall hope to see you, and where I shall have an apartment ready for you in Rome. I have not been idle since I left your comfortable and hospitable house. I have finished my _Salmonia_, and sent it to the press.--"_Flumina amo sylvasque inglorius._"--I do not think you will be displeased with this little _jeu_ of my sick hours. Mr. A---- was very amiable in calling on me. There is nothing that annoys me so much in my illness as my helplessness in not being able to indulge in society. Your grateful and affectionate friend, H. DAVY. We will now, for a while, leave our philosopher to pursue his journey to Italy, while we take a review of his SALMONIA; the first edition of which was published in the Spring of 1828. The second, and much improved edition,[110] from which I shall take my extracts, is dated from Laybach, Illyria, September 28, 1828, but which did not appear until 1829.