COLORATION 



213 



suggested that the effect of this curious pattern tends to make 

 a potential enemy regard the tail end of the fish as the head, 

 and it is thus able to save itself by darting off in the direction 

 least expected by its aggressor. When considering the colours 

 of coral-reef fishes, however, it is important to guard against 



Fig. 83. — COLOUR PATTERNS IN TROPICAL FISHES. 



A. Muraena or Moray {Gymnothorax petelli), X J ; b. Bat-fish {Platax orbicularis), 

 Xl; c. Butterfly-fish {Holacanthus semicirculatus),x\ \ D. Butterfly-fish 

 {Chaetodon unimaculatiis), X ^ ; E. Sea Perch {Grammistes sexlineatus), X about {. 



the tendency to look upon all types of coloration as concealing, 

 for in many regions the reefs themselves are dull greyish, and 

 the associated forms of animal life more or less soberly coloured, 

 but the little fishes are as vividly coloured as elsewhere. Under 

 such conditions they cannot be protected by their liveries, and 

 must rely on their exceptional alertness and agility, and on 



