FISHES. 323 
in some three hours after it is taken from the water, the light 
gradually fades, the gills and fins retaining the phosphorescence 
longer than the rest of the body. The only part. of the whole 
lower surface which was not luminous was a band on the throat. 
In this peculiar species the fins are very small, and therefore the 
motions of the shark are not quick. Bennet conjectures that the 
phosphorescence is given to the fish in order that its prey may be 
fy “fd ge 
THE RED MULLET. 
(Millus barbatus.) 
attracted to its neighbourhood at night, for we know that fish 
always do approach a light. Salmon and other fish are fre- 
quently caught on the lakes by burning lights on the prow of 
the boat, from which the fishermen spear the fish thus attracted. 
Fish subsist upon the succulent plants of the marine vegetation, 
on worms, shell-fish, and small crustaceans; some of them devour 
other fish and even members of their own tribe. Might here is 
right ; the great ones eat the small ones: irrespective of their race, 
2 
