FISHES 



121 



brackish water at the muddy mouths of rivers and is by no 

 means incommoded by finding itself on terra firma. It 

 inhabits tropical Africa and Asia. It seldom measures 

 more than six inches in length, and resembles in general 

 shape our common Goby, to which it is in fact closely 

 related. The hand-shaped pectoral fins are so supple 

 that they have enabled their owner to virtually conquer 

 the land and by their means the Mud Skipper can scramble 



Caudal 5oFt Dorsal Spinous Dorsal 



Median Line 

 MS« /.V\Operculum 



W.R.B«-'S ( » r «5ii 



Anal'' Pelvic's V 



General topography of Sea Bream 



'Pectoral 



out of the water and even ascend trees. Its enormous 

 bulging eyes are set close together on the top of the head, 

 and these keep a constant look-out for the chance fly, 

 just above the water line. Exposed as it is to the fierce 

 rays of the tropic sun, the eyes might become uncomfort- 

 ably dry but for the fish's habit of constantly lubricating 

 them by rolling them in their sockets. When chasing 

 flies ashore the Mud Skipper is exposed for long periods 

 to the air, and in order to breathe in this unusual environ- 

 ment the tail, with its rich supply of blood-vessels, serves 



