326 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
mute, yet some are capable of making noises. The Pristipoma 
anas makes a groan which may be imitated in pronouncing the 
syllables cozn-coin. The Wrasse gives a similar though a more 
shrill cry. The Zwznzes cry like children when taken from the 
water. The /7le-fish at the breeding time make a noise like 
drawing a stick over the head of adrum. There has lately been 
discovered in South America, in the Bay of Panguapi in the 
province of Esmeraldas, a little white fish, with blue spots on 
its back. Not only has it a voice, but it can sing. M. O. de 
Thoron stayed a day at the place; he was pulling in his boat near 
THE CIRCULAR AMPHACANTHUS. 
(Amphacanthus doliatus.) 
the water's edge, when he was struck by hearing several prolonged, 
musical notes. Looking about, and seeing nothing, he asked a 
boatman what the noise was. The man replied that it was the 
singing of the fish, of which there were two kinds—the Szren@ and 
the A/usico. Stopping the boat, he listened more attentively, and 
heard a concert of voices; the tones were deep and sonorous, much 
resembling the sound of a distant organ. They commence their 
singing as the sun sets, and sing on—like the nightingale—through 
the night; the presence of an audience does not deter their 
performance. 
Fish are provided with fzs, by which they are sustained and 
propelled through the water. The fectoral fins take the place of 
arms, and the wertral fins are in the position of legs. The relative 
