104 INFLUENCE OF FEAR ON COLOUR. 



venous blood from air alone is proved by the fact tliat 

 many Fislies, Mollusks, and Zoophytes are able to 

 survive for a long time a privation of water, provided 

 their respiratory organs be exposed to the atmosphere, 

 and be preserved from becoming dry ; while immersion 

 in water from which the oxygen has been exhausted 

 would presently prove fatal. 



These little fishes afford another example of the 

 power of mental emotions in changing colours. 

 When pursued and caught with a net, in order to 

 transfer them from one vessel to another, they become 

 of pale semi-pellucid drab hue, on the back, with 

 three reddish lines. But after they have been put in, 

 they gradually resume their original colour, appearing 

 in a few minutes of a dark iron grey. Doubtless fear 

 produces this change, as it does in some of the 

 Reptiles — the Gecko, for example, as I know from 

 observation. 



THE ANCIENT WRASSE. 



Among the fishes which are now brought to market, 

 the Wrasses are conspicuous for the splendour of their 

 colouring. They have put on their summer attire ; — 

 I know not whether, like our humble country belles, 

 they choose Whitsunday as the day of their first 

 appearance in holiday hues, but it was just about 

 that time that the magnificent Ancient Wrasse 

 (Lahrus maculatus) first fell mider my notice, and 

 since that time the species has become increasingly 

 common. 



The fishermen call this, as well as other species of 



