The SLIME-HEADS, which constitute the next family, derive their name from the presence on the head of large mucus-bearing cavities covered with a thin skin. The eyes are always of great size, indicating a deep-sea habitat, or at least a depth only dimly lighted. All indeed, save two species, descend considerably below the surface, one species having been found in 345 fathoms. The species of one genus are believed to inhabit still greater depths, for their eyes are extremely small, indicating degeneration through disuse. The copious supply of slime is also an indication of a deep-sea habitat. The members of this family vary much in size and shape, but the most remarkable of all is a small and rare species 78

6i8 The Living Animals of the World

found off Japan, in which the scales have joined together to form a perfectly solid armour, whilst the paired fins of the abdomen have been reduced to a single spine, with a few vestiges of other rays. The next family, a comparatively small one, includes the TASSEL-FISH, so called from the long and delicate feelers springing from the base of the breast-fins, of which they

Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons. originally formed a part. Vary- INDIAN WEAVER-FISH. ing in number from three to One of the group of scorpion-fishes. fourteen, these feelers can be moved independently of the fins. As these fishes all live in muddy water, and have the eyes obscured by films, such tactile organs are necessary, in order to enable them to procure their is highly esteemed. Somefood. In some species they attain an enormous length. The flesh species have an air-bladder, which yields a good kind of isinglass, and forms an article of commerce in the East Indies. The majority are small species, but some attain to a length of 4 feet.

No less important than the preceding group, from an economic point of view, are the MEAGRES, a family of coast-haunting species of the tropical and sub-tropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans, exhibiting a special preference for the mouths of large rivers, into which they freely enter. Some, indeed, have become entirely fresh-water species. is the species to which the name of DRUM has One of the most interesting of the family been given, from the extraordinary noise which it produces though some other kinds emit " "similar noises. These sounds," Dr. Griinther writes, can better be expressed by the word ' drumming ' than any other. They appear to be very frequently heard by persons in vessels lying at anchor off the coasts of the United States, where these fishes are very common. The is not known. Since they are accompaniedprecise method by which these sounds are produced by a tremulous motion of the vessel, it seems more probable that they are due to the beating of the tails of the fish against the bottom of the ship to get rid of the parasites with which that part of their body is infested." The drum attains a length of more than 4 feet and a weight of over 100 Ibs. Though forming but a single small family, the SWORD-FISHES are nevertheless to be reckoned amongst the most interesting, of living fishes. Attaining a length of from 12 to 15 feet, exceeding vigilant, pugnacious, and powerful, they are amongst the most formidable of all fishes. They derive their name from the great development of the upper jaw, which forms a huge, tapering, swordlike weapon, covered along its under-surface with numer-s. Rudiand & sons.ous small teeth. They attack, photo by A. apparently without provoca- BAGGED SEA-SCORPION. of the scorpion-fishes.tlOn, whales and Other large A second representative

Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.

STONE-FISH.

A species of scorpion-fish dreaded on account of its poisonous spines.

Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.

TASSEL-FISH.

Valued for the isinglass it yields.

619

of the World620 The Living Animals

cetaceans, which they invariably succeed in killing by repeated thrusts of the sword. It appears that occasionally sword-fishes make a mistake, and, after the fashion of Don Quixote, tilt at windmills, in the shape of large vessels, under the impression that they are whales. But this most grave error of judgment

Pkoto by A. S. liudland & Sons. SWORD-PISH. brings with it a heavy penalty, in that, having no power toThe huge back-fin is said to -be often used as a sail when the fish is floating near the surface of the water. make effective backward movements, the sword remains fixed, and is eventually broken off in the struggle for freedom. Frank Buckland reminds us is a section of the bow ofthat in the Museum of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, London, is 1 foota whaler impaled by one of these swords. That portion of the sword which remains fish had plungedlong and 5 inches in circumference. " At one single blow," he writes, " the his sword through, and completely transfixed 13| inches of solid timber. The sword had of iscourse broken off and prevented a dangerous leak in the ship." In the British Museum a second specimen of a ship's side in which the sword of a sword-fish is fixed.

CHAPTER IV.

HAIR-TAILS, HORSE-MACKERELS, SEA-BATS, DORIES, MACKERELS, SUCKING-

FISHES, WEAVERS, FROG-FISHES, ANGLER-FISHES, BULL-HEADS, AND

GURNARDS.

BY W. P. PYCRAFT, A.L.S., F.Z.S.

the family of HAIR-TAILS perhaps the most important members are the SCABBARD- or

FROST-FISH and the SNOEK. The first is common in the Mediterranean and theOF warmer parts of the Atlantic, extending northwards to the south coast of England, where it occurs at rare intervals. It is also known in New Zealand, where it is called the Frost-fish, and furthermore is regarded as one of the most delicious fish of the colony, its it is much in demand, butflesh being fine, tender, and of delicate flavour. On this account the supply is very uncertain. The conditions of capture, indeed, of this fish are unparalleled in the annals of fishing, for it can be taken neither with the rod nor the net. The would-be captor has to wait patientlv under favourable conditions on the seashore for the fish to come

Photo by Percy Ashenden.] [Cape Town. SKOEK. This fish is also known as the Barracuda.

The Scabbard^ or Frost^fish 621

and cast itself up on the beach. This happens with tolerable certainty during the autumn and winter months, when the sea is calm and the nights frosty. Then the frost-fish come ashore alive, wriggling through the surf on to the beach. Two explanations have been offered for this extraordinary conduct. One is that the fish commits suicide; being pursued by a shark or other enemy, it prefers uncertain life on land to certain death at sea! The other and more probable hypothesis has it that the air-bladder of the fish becomes distended to enable it to reach the surface for food Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [3filford-on-Sea. for it is a deep-sea fish and FRINGED HORSE-MACKEREL. that the keen, frosty air prevents Note the great length of the fin-rays. it from compressing the bladder and returning to the depths; thus it gradually drifts into shallow water, is hurled shorewards by the surf, and finally wriggles itself on to the beach to die. The long stretches of sandy beach a few miles from Dunedin are a favourite resort for frost-fish catching. Two or three cliffs overhanging the beach, pitching a tent and lightingmen camp out at the foot of the consists ina huge fire, so as to render life bearable during the long vigils. The " fishing" perambulating the beach up and down shortly before dawn, and keeping a sharp look-out in the surf for the silver streak which betokens the approach of a victim. As soon as a fish is

Photo by Reinhold Thielc & Co.] [Chancery Lane, W.C- HORSE-MACKEREL. The strong keel formed by ridged scales running down each side of the tail is a characteristic feature.

descried, all that remains to be done is to seize hold of it and drag it ashore, if it has not

it.already stranded itself, and then dispatch feet. The BARRACUDA, or SNOEK, is likewise a New Zealand species, attaining a length of 5 flesh is exported toIt is found also at the Cape and South Australia. In New Zealand the Mauritius and Batavia as a regular article of commerce, being worth 17 per ton.

The HORSE-MACKERELS, or SCADS, are represented by some very bizarre-looking forms. It is a large family, belonging to tropical and temperate seas. One species, the COMMON HORSE

Photos by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.

JOHN DORIES.

These two photographs show the difference in the jaws when protruded and when at rest.

of the family have the hinder portionMACKEREL, is common in British seas. Many members of the body on 'each side armed with large plates, well seen in the accompanying photographs; others have the median fins produced into long filamentous processes. All are eatable, and some highly esteemed as food. One of the most remarkable is the PILOT-FISH of its nametropical and temperate seas, occurring occasionally off the British coasts. It derives from its habit of accompanying ships and large sharks. From this habit of accompanying it pointed outships it was regarded by the ancients as a sacred fish, since they considered the way to embarrassed sailors, and announced the vicinity of land by suddenly disappearing. The close companionship between the pilot-fish and the shark has excited much comment, many observers believing that the former was of great use to the latter in guiding it to its : " The pilot swims food. How this is done is graphically described by Dr. Meyer, who writes constantly in front of the shark; we ourselves have seen three instances in which the shark was led by the pilot. When the shark neared the ship, the pilot swam close to the snout or near one of the pectoral fins.of the animal. Sometimes he darted rapidly forwards or sidewards, as if looking for something, and constantly went back again to the shark. When we threw overboard a piece of bacon fastened on a great hook, the shark was about twenty paces from the ship; with the quickness of lightning the pilot came up, smelt at the dainty, and his snout and splashing,instantly swam back again to the shark, swimming many times round to put himselfas if to give him exact information as to the bacon. The shark now began in motion, the pilot showing him the way, and in a moment he was fast upon the hook." As Dr. Giinther remarks, commenting on this account, one may entertain reasonable doubts as to the usefulness of the pilot to the shark in this instance! It is probable that the pilots follow the sharks for the sake of feeding on fragments scattered by the latter, and also for the sake of picking off the parasites with which sharks, in common with other large fish, are infested; furthermore, the pilot, being but a small fish, obtains greater security from enemies when in the company of its giant friend. The habit of seeking the company of more powerful or otherwise offensive animals is apparent also in other members of this family, the

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