With regard to oviparous animals we cannot be sure
that they dream, but most undoubtedly they sleep. And the same may
be said of water animals, such as fishes, molluscs, crustaceans, to
wit crawfish and the like. These animals sleep without doubt, although
their sleep is of very short duration. The proof of their sleeping
cannot be got from the condition of their eyes-for none of these
creatures are furnished with eyelids-but can be obtained only from
their motionless repose.
Apart from the irritation caused by lice and what are nicknamed
fleas, fish are met with in a state so motionless that one might
easily catch them by hand; and, as a matter of fact, these little
creatures, if the fish remain long in one position, will attack them
in myriads and devour them. For these parasites are found in the
depths of the sea, and are so numerous that they devour any bait
made of fish's flesh if it be left long on the ground at the bottom;
and fishermen often draw up a cluster of them, all clinging on to
the bait.
But it is from the following facts that we may more reasonably
infer that fishes sleep. Very often it is possible to take a fish
off its guard so far as to catch hold of it or to give it a blow
unawares; and all the while that you are preparing to catch or
strike it, the fish is quite still but for a slight motion of the
tail.
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