242 THE LIVING ANIiMALS OF THE WORLD 



Ph,l, by U: S^iilU^KiM, T.Z.S.'\ lMil/trd-<,n.ScJ 



SEA-HORSES 



T^e species un the right is remarkable jor the dei'ehpmejit of long 

 leaf-like processes all o'z'er the bod\-^ causing the fish to bear a i-ery close 

 resemblance to the seaiueed amongst ivhich it divells 



I As a rule file-fishes arc of small size, but 



/^ some attain a len<(th of 2 feet, and many are 



L -T^Suf^ beautifully and s}'mmetrically marked. 



"2/991^^ ^^^^ Coi-'FER-FlSHEs derive their name 



A^ ^HH Sui^'c ^ from the box-like cuirass in which they are in- 



J«''''^/N^^^=^ vested. This is formed by numerous closely fit- 



^' 'T^ ^X*k tinij, hexagonal bony plates, formitiLj a mosaic, 



ft and leaving only the fins and hind part of the 



tail free. This bony case varies greath' in 

 form, in some species being three-ridged, in 

 others four- or even five-ridged ; while in some 

 long horns arc developed, makingthe defensive 

 armature still more complex. More than 

 twenty species are known, all confined to 

 tropical and sub-tropical seas. 



The Glome-FISIies and Sux-FISHES con- 

 stitute the last famil}- of this really extra- 

 ordinar}' assemblage. The covering of the 

 body consists either of minute scales or large 

 spines, which can frequently be raised or depressed at will. All the members inhabit tropical 

 or sub-tropical seas, and a few occur in the fresh-waters of the same regions. 



The Gli)1!E-FISHES have short, thick bodies, covered either with small spines, as in the 

 Ti).\D-Flsil, or very large ones, as in the PORCUPINE-FISH, or Sea-HE1)(;EH0(;. They are remark- 

 able for their habit of filling the gullet with air, and then distending the body to an enormous 

 size. This device enables the fish to escape its enemies ; for when so inflated it rises to the 

 surface and floats belly-upwards, and, the inflated portion projecting above the water, the fish 

 is blown along bj' the wind to more secure regions. The more heavily armed species 

 become still more formidable when inflated, as the spines are then full}' erected. Escaping 

 from enemies below by flight, they arc thus secure from enemies above b}- reason of their 

 armature. Globe-fishes have been found floating alive and unhurt within the stomachs of 

 sharks which had swalloued them, and one has c\en been known to eat its way out through 

 its captor's side, and so killing its would-be de\-ourer! When a globe-fish desires to return 

 to its normal elongated shape, it e.xpels the air from the gullet through the mouth and 

 gills, the expulsion causing a curious hissing 

 sound. 



Mxtremel}- unlike the foregoing members 

 of the group of comb-gilled fishes, the .Si \- 

 FISII is nevertheless quite as remarkable in 

 form, looking as if it had undergone the am- 

 putation of its hind parts. The singular shape 

 of the other members of the comb- and tuft- 

 gilled fishes are undoubtedly adaptations to 

 avoid enemies, either by rendering the animal 

 inconspicuous, or hurtful b)' reason of its 

 powerful armature. The form of the sun- 

 fish appears to be an adaptation for the 

 capture of food, as this fish preys largel}' 

 upon the frj' of other fishes which inhabit 

 enormous depths, and consequently can onl\' 

 be obtained by diving. Sun-fishes inhabit 

 the surface-waters, but as divers have fen- 

 equals. 



Phatc b< ir i.ivilU-Ktnl, F.Z.S.'j 



SEA-HORSES 



Actaching them 



[Mtltord-on.^ea 



se/i^es to marine plants hy tivisting thetr tails around 

 them 



