THE BEAKED CHiETODON. 



427 



slowly, and with the utmost caution, coming as much as possible per- 

 (_»oiidicuIarly under the object. Then putting its body in an oblique 



direction, with the mouth and eyes near 

 the surface, it remains for a moment im- 

 movable. Having fixed its eyes directly 

 on the insect, it shoots at it a drop of 

 water from its tubular snout, but without 

 showing its mouth above the surface, froic 

 whence only the drop seems to rise. Thia 

 is done with so much dexterity, that 

 though at the distance of four, five, or six 

 feet, it seldom fails to bring the fly into 

 cH^TODOK. the water. With the closest attention the 



moath could never be discovered above 

 the surface, although the fish has been seen to eject several drops 

 one after another, without leaving the place, or in the smallest 

 apparent degree moV'iug its body. 



This very singular action was reported' to M. Hommel, the governor 

 of the hospital at Batavia, near which place the species is sometimes 

 found ; and it so far excited his curiosity, that he was aetermined, if 

 possible, to convince himself of its truth, by ocular demonstration. 



For this purpose, he ordered a large, wide tub to be filled with sea- 

 water : he then had some of these fish caught and put into it ; and the 



water was changed 

 every other day. After 

 a while, they seemed 

 reconciled to their con- 

 finement; and he tried 

 the experiment. A 

 slender stick, with a 

 fly fastened at the end, 

 was placed in such a 

 manner on the side of 

 the vessel, as to enable 

 the fish to strike it ; 

 and it was not without 

 inexpressible delight, 

 that he daily saw them 

 exercising their skill 

 in shooting at it with 

 amazing force and 

 seldom missing ihoii 

 mark. 



The flesh of thia 

 species is white and 

 well tasted. 



The Bat Chsetodon 

 found near Ceylon ia 

 a large species with 

 very broad fins. 



BAT COSTOOOX. 



