"And o'er the ocean's crystal mirror, Taught the unnumber'd scaly throng To trace their liquid path along."-MOORE, upon soft rays. The word is derived from a, "without," and acantha, a "spine," or "thorn." 1089. These fishes also present a difference in the structure of the air-bladder, which, instead of communicating with the throat by a duct, as is the case in the physostomata, is here more completely closed, and there is no connection between the anterior part of the bladder and the throat. 1090. Why have the sand-eel and the sand-launce a projecting lower jaw? Because it is the habit of these fishes to bury themselves in the sand, and by the sharpness and muscular power of the jaw, and the slenderness of their bodies, they are able to bury themselves in wet sand five or six inches deep with great rapidity. 1091. Why is the cod found in great abundance upon the coast of Newfoundland? Because in that region there exist vast submarine mountains upon which crustaceous and molluscous animals are abundant. These constitute the natural food of the cod. 1092. Why does the skin of a sole act as a clearer for coffee? Because it contains a large proportion of albumen, which, being driven from the skin by the action of hot water, afterwards coagulates, and fixes and precipitates the floating grains of coffee. 1093. Why are soles and other flat fish destitute of air bladders? Because, being bottom fish, and seldom elevating their range in the water, they do not require an apparatus, the purpose of which is to vary the specific gravity of the moving body. 1094. Why do dead fishes usually float? It appears to be a creative design that when these inhabitants of འ "Here's a very fat carp, shall we dress you a brace? Would you chuse any soles, or a mullet, or plaice?"-CAMBRIDGE. the deep die in any other manner than as prey to larger species, they shall rise to the surface, and be presented as food to sea birds, the scavengers of the sea. The bodies of fishes are always so near to the specific gravity of water, that the slightest development of gases in their tissues, which would arise from the first stage of decomposition, brings them to the surface. 1095. Why are bottom, or flat fishes, more commonly found floating than others? Because, being occupants of the bottom of the sea, their bodies half sunk in the earth, and, concealed by the unity of their colour with that of the bed upon which they lie, they are less liable to be preyed upon than other fishes. The peculiar shape of their bodies is also a great protection to them, since they cannot be swallowed whole, as is the case with many fishes. Larger numbers of flat fish, therefore, may be supposed to die from natural causes than is common with other species. Hence they are more frequently found floating dead than other kinds of fish. 1096. Why do soles swim upon their sides? Because their eyes are placed upon one side only, by which, "Of fishes-every size and shape, Sub-order III.-Pharyngonatha. 1097. Why is the third sub-order designated pharyngonatha ? The name is derived from pharynx, the pharynx, the muscular fang at the back part of the mouth; and gnathos, the jaw, indicating that the pharyngeal bones are united. 1098. This sub-order includes an assemblage of fishes of diverse forms, in which there are both soft and spinous rayed; the pharynxed bones of this sub-order are completely united, so as to form a single bone, which is usually armed with teeth. The air-bladder is always completely closed.* 1099. Why is the garfish usually called the mackerel guide? Because it commonly approaches the shore to spawn, a little prior to mackerel doing so. Hence the popular idea that the garfish guides mackerel to the shore. 1100. Why is the parrot fish so called? Because of the peculiar hooked formation of its mouth, and the brilliancy of its colours. 1101. Why has the parrot fish rounded jaws and scalelike teeth? Because they browse on newly-formed layers of stony corals, digesting the animal matter therein contained, and setting free the carbonate of lime in a chalky state. Their jaws and teeth possess immense strength. Sub-order IV-Acanthoptera. 1102. Why is the fourth sub-order called acanthoptera ? From acanthos, a thorn, and pterygion, a fin,-meaning thornfinned. One of the most distinguishing features of these fishes is, * Orr's "Circle of the Sciences." "The west part of the land was high browed, much like the head of a gurnard."-HACKLUYT. that the spinous rays of their fins constitute formidable defensive weapons. 1103. The number of fishes belonging to this sub-order is exceedingly great, and they present a considerable diversity of structure. 1104. Why do the spinous defensive weapons of fishes turn backwards? 1105. Why are the Indian gurnards called "flying fishes? Because, when pursued by the dolphin, or other large creature of prey, they spring from the sea, in which action their large pectoral fins support them upon the air, in the manner of a parachute. Their action, however, is not that of flying, but springing from the sea. 1106. Why are the chatodons remarkable for brilliancy of colours? described as occupying a similar place in the tropical seas to "Thick in yon stream of light, a thousand ways, those which parrots occupy in tropical forests: they even excel the parrots in brilliancy while living. All the colours have a metallic lustre, and though some of them are of one very intense colour, as golden, yellow, ultra-marine, or rich bronze, when the fish is at rest; yet, when it moves, they are irridescent, and sparkle with gem-like lustre. The chatodon striatus is sometimes called the zebra, on account of its beautiful stripes. 1108. What peculiarity does the structure and habits of globe fishes present? 1108. Why is the upper jaw of the sword-fish elongated into a blade-like weapon ? The sword-fish inhabits seas where the monsters of the deep, whales, sharks, and threshers abound. Here these monsters battle |