2 34 Fish Stories 



bordered with black above these, a similar spot on the base of 

 the pectoral; an irregular line of large spots following the 

 outline of the body under dorsal and above anal ; a clear-cut 

 white streak from dorsal to tip of snout and continued on 

 lower lip, the hue and pattern of color varying greatly; 

 young examples being most variegated; a translucent spot 

 behind third dorsal spine generally followed by singular 

 spots for the whole length of the fin." This is Dr. Jordan's 

 description of the coloring which, while in low and modified 

 tones, is very beautiful, and its resemblance to the surround- 

 ing kelp remarkable. 



I have often swung my boat over the kelp bed and peered 

 down into the heart of the weed, and watched the folding 

 and unfolding of the leaves as they were swept back and 

 forth in tidal measure. In among the weed, standing on its 

 head, perhaps, I would see the kelp fish moving with the 

 swell, so exact in its resemblance to it that it was difficult 

 to distinguish between them. 



Specimens in a tank grow paler and less highly colored, 

 and the observer sees a fish perhaps a foot long, with a long 

 muzzle, a soft dorsal fin from head to tail, with five upright 

 pronounced zigzag angular bands of darker colors with 

 other spots and tints of pure white — altogether a beautiful 

 fish. Even the eye partakes of the general coloring, and has 

 a peculiarity of that of several fishes, of following one about, 

 and acting seemingly independent. 



The offending fish referred to was removed from the tank 

 giving the kelp fishes the entire room, and one day I saw 

 that the male had assumed a striking nuptial garb. All his 

 colors were highly accentuated and brilliant ; what had been 

 white was now lavender and blazing silver ; the dark angles 

 in the zigzag barring took on darker tints, and were em- 

 phasized by countless hues of lavender, yellow, blue and 

 seeming gold, while patches of silver, old rose, lavender 

 and white appeared here and there the entire length of the 

 fish. 



