194 THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 
The Frog-fish of the Asiatic islands and the Southern hemi- 
sphere is not more remarkable for its hideous deformity than for 
its capacity of leading a terrestrial life. Not only can it live 
several days out of the water but it can crawl about the room in 
which it is confined, a facility which it owes to the great strength 
and the peculiar position of its pectoral fins, which thus perform 
the office of feet. The whole aspect of these grotesque-looking 
creatures, particularly in a walking position, is so much like 
that of toads or frogs, that a careless observer would at first 
be at some loss to determine their real nature. 
A no less wonderful pedestrian is the Hassar (Doras costata), 
a South American fish, that marches over land in search of 
water, travelling a whole night when the pools dry up in 
which it commonly resides. It projects itself forwards on its 
bony pectoral fins, by the elastic spring of the tail, exerted 
sidewise, and in this manner proceeds nearly as fast as a man 
will leisurely walk. The strong scuta or bands which envelop 
its body must greatly facilitate its march, in the manner of 
the plates under the belly of serpents, which are raised and 
depressed by a voluntary power, in some measure performing 
the office of feet. The Indians say justly that these fishes 
supply themselves with water for their journey. If they find 
the pools and rivers everywhere dried up, they bury themselves 
in the mud, and fall into a kind of asphyxia or lethargy, till 
the rainy season recalls them again to life. 
The hassar is also remarkable for a parental affection, almost 
unexampled among fishes. Sir Richard Schomburgk relates that 
it not only builds a complete nest for its spawn but also watches 
over it with the utmost vigilance till the young brood comes 
forth. In April, this marine artist begins to build his little 
dwelling of vegetable fibres, among the waterplants and rushes, 
until it resembles a hollow ball, flattened at the top. An 
aperture corresponding to the size of the mother leads into 
the interior. The parental affection of the fish is shamefully 
misused by man for its destruction. A small basket is held 
before the opening; then the nest is slightly beaten with a 
stick ; and, furious, with extended fins, whose sharp points are 
able to inflict a painful wound, the poor hassar darts into the 
fatal basket. 
The black Goby (Gobius nigei) also prepares a nest for its 
