1907] Some Curious Facts About Fishes. 23s 



so resemble their surroundings as to be disguised either front 

 their enemies or from their prey. According to conditions the hue 

 may be sombre or brilliant. A partridge for instance resembles 

 the dried leaves among which she has her^nest, and green parrots 

 resemble the foliage of the trees among which they dwell. Among 

 fishes there are instances both of sombre and brilliant coloration, 

 whereby, in either case, they are concealed. Instances of the 

 latter are certain fishes ot the coral reefs. Were these of dull 

 colors, they would readily be seen whilst they moved about among 

 the beautiful flower-like zoophytes ; therefore they are singularly 

 ornamented with colors of surpassing beauty. Incidentally were 

 one asked the question whether a bright red or a jet black object 

 would most readily attract attention, the answer would naturally 

 be the bright red of course. But that .depends on conditions. If 

 a scarht cloth were hung upon the wall, and an object similiarly 

 colored placed against it, it would not readily catch the eye ; but 

 if a jet black object were placed against the red cloth, it would 

 readily be seen. For the same reason, evidently, such beautiful 

 fishes as the tropical chaetodons, and other forms which abound 

 among the coral mounds, are embellished in gorgeous reds, blues, 

 yellows, or greens : colors ordinarily conspicuous, but which offer 

 concealment, more or less, to those fishes amid their natural 

 environments. 



The Angler or so called Fishing Frog. 



A case the opposite to the above is the so called Fishing Frog 

 or Angler. This fish is not readily detected because it is of the 

 sombre hue of its surroundings, and has moreover the power to 

 change its color according to the character ot the surroundings. 

 The Angler lurks at the bottom of its retreat with its great gaping 

 mouth ready to devour its prpy. A long filament issues from the 

 back of its head, which the angler waves about like a fishing rod. 

 This fi am ent terminates in a bait like lappe', and some unwary 

 little fish which does not see the angler comes to nibble at it, and 

 is a once engulfed in the great gape of this wily creature. r 



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