Adaptations of Fishes 65 
firmation of the morphological result stated above that no 
specific nerves are distributed to the phosphorescent organs. 
“T can explain the action of the electrical current in these 
experiments only on the supposition that it produces its effect 
by direct action on the gland. 
“The experiments just related were all tried on specimens of 
the fish taken from under the rocks where they were guarding 
PSY] LS, 
[Dupe 
se SS} 
Nets ae 
Fic. 49.—Cross-section of a ventral phosphorescent organ of the Midshipman, 
Porichthys notatus Girard. 1, lens; gl, gland; r, reflector; bl, blood; p, pig- 
ment. (After Greene.) 
the young brood. Two specimens, however, taken by hooks 
from the deeper water of Monterey Bay, could not be made to 
show phosphorescence either by clectrical stimulation or by 
treatrnent with ammonia. These specimens did not have the 
high development of the system of mucous cells of the skin 
exhibited by the nesting fish. My observations were, how- 
