362 FISHES CHAP. 



but there is evidence that sounds are emitted by Polypterus 

 among the Crossopterygii, and by the Dipnoids Neoceratodus, 1 

 Protopterus, and Lepidosiren, although it is not certainly known 

 how they are produced, or that they may not be the accidental 

 concomitants of the inspiratory or expiratory action of the lungs 

 in breathing. 



As to the nature of the sounds produced by the air-bladder 

 and its muscles in different Teleosts, a few examples may be 

 given. 



The sound produced by the elastic -spring -apparatus of a 

 recently caught Doras maculatus, has been described as a " deep 

 growling tone," which may be distinctly heard at a distance of 

 100 feet when the Fish is out of the water. Under like condi- 

 tions the air-bladder and its muscles, in a species of Platystoma, 

 emit a similar sound. On the other hand, the sound produced 

 by the elastic springs of the Electric Siluroid (Malopterurus 

 dectricus) has been compared to the hissing of a cat. The Sea- 

 Horse {Hippocampus brevirostris) utters a monotonous sound 

 analogous to that of a tambour, which is characteristic of both 

 sexes, but is more intense and frequent in the breeding season. 

 The " Coffer Fish " (Ostracion trigonus) emits a growling sound, 

 as also does the " Globe Fish " (Tetrodon honckenii) when taken 

 out of the water. 2 The air-bladder and its muscles in the 

 " Drum " (Pogonias chromis), constitute the most powerful 

 sound -producing organ yet found in any Fish. The sounds 

 emitted by the " Drum " are better expressed by the word 

 drumming than by any other, and have frequently been heard by 

 persons in vessels lying at anchor on the coasts of the United 

 States, where these Fishes abound. 3 The " Drum " begins its 

 drumming noise in the spawning season in April, but is rarely 

 heard afterwards. The " Maigre " (Sciaena aquila), whose musical 

 performances aue perhaps responsible for the Homeric fable of the 

 song of the Sirens, is remarkable among Fishes for the variety 

 of its sounds, which have been compared to bellowing, purring, 

 buzzing, and whistling. 4 The sound is often so intense that it 

 may be heard when the Fish is at a depth of 18 metres, and the 



1 Gunther, Phil. Trans. 161, 1871, p. 542. 



2 Pappe, Synopsis of the Edible Fishes at the Cape of Good Hope, Capetown, 

 1853, p. 8. 



3 Gunther, Study of Fishes, Edinburgh, 1880, p. 427. 



4 Day, Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland, London, i. 1880-1884, p. 151. 



