Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Animal Development, Evolution, Zoology, Descent, Human Species

    Reports the opening of a sea-water aquarium at the Crystal Palace. Assuming that people are descended from marine ascidians, speculates that the aquarium will witness the birth of water babies and their development into humans. Thinks those sea urchins will develop human features and later be taken to school. Believes certain men are already like fish: gudgeons exist in human form, 'shoals of sharks' move in lawyers' circles, 'drinking like a fish' is a common human attribute, and some men are very fishy and cannot 'keep their head above water'. Suggests that the affinity of the English for the sea proves their marine descent.