INDIAN IlISTIOPHORUS. 169 



sessing the curious property we are about to describe, 

 and where the jaws are elongated, have been placed 

 in a sub-genus by Cuvier and Valenciennes, under 

 the title of Chelmon. 



The singular mode in which one of this genus, 

 the Chcetodon rostratus or jaculator, strikes down 

 its prey, will excuse a few words of digression 

 here. It approaches with gentle caution to within 

 a few feet of the animal it seeks to make prey of; 

 it then projects a drop of water from its mouth at 

 the insect with an aim so unerring as seldom fails to 

 bring it down, and secures it from escape. This 

 species has been kept in a vessel of water for the 

 purpose of examining more naiTowly this unusual 

 mode of overcoming its prey. If an insect be fixed 

 on the edge of the vessel, or held on the end of a 

 stick within reach of the missile drop, the fish goes 

 on repeating the discharge, as the insect does not 

 fall, while it hardly ever misses its aim. On these 

 occasions it seems to be provided with a large supply 

 of water, as it perseveres for a considerable time in 

 projecting drops to the distance of four or five feet, 

 without any appearance of taking in a fresh supply. 



Another example of this singular structure used 

 in securing their prey is seen in the 



