PIPE-FISHES. 



283 



exhibit many of their peculiarities, and few sub- 

 jects of the deep have displayed, in prison, more 

 sport or more intelligence. 



" When swimming about, they maintain a 

 vertical position ; but the tail is ready to grasp 

 whatever meets it in the water, quickly entwines 

 in any direction round the weeds, and, when 

 fixed, the animal intently watches the surround- 

 ing objects, and darts at its prey wdth great 

 dexterity. When two approach each other, they 

 often twist their tails together, and struggle to 

 separate, or attach themselves to the weeds ; tliis 

 is done by the under part of their cheeks or 

 chin, which is also used for raising the body 

 when a new spot is wanted for the tail to en- 

 twine afresh. The eyes move independently of 

 each other, as in the Chameleon ; this, with the 

 brilliant changeable iridescence about the head, 

 and its blue bands, forcibly reminds the observer 

 of that animal."* 



It must not be forgotten that the Chameleon 

 entwines its prehensile tail around the twigs of 

 plants when watching for prey, thus presenting 

 another analogy between these highly curious 

 animals of different Classes. 



* Yarrell's Brit. Fishes, ii. 453. 



