HOW FISHES FEED. 83 



used, after a short interval the 'nosing' at the 

 part where the worm was seen ceased, and the 

 lower end of the tube, from which, doubtless, worm- 

 juice was diffusing, was vigorously nosed. If, 

 again, instead of putting worms into a tube, I 

 placed a number of them into a closed wooden 

 box with minute apertures to let the water pass 

 in and out, there was a similar excitement pro- 

 duced, and the dabs hunted eagerly in every 

 direction. When water in which many worms 

 had lain for some time was simply poured into 

 the tank through a tube that had been in position 

 for several days, and by a person who was out of 

 sight of the dabs, the results were most marked. 

 In a few seconds hunting began, and in their 

 excitement the dabs frequently leapt out of the 

 water, apparently at air-bubbles, and on one 

 occasion one even cleared the side of the tank, 

 which was about two inches above the water, 

 and fell on to the floor of the aquarium. Yet 

 there was nothing visible to stimulate the quest." 



A very remarkable instance of sight-feeding is 

 that afforded by a fish known as the archer-fish 

 {Toxofes jaculator). This name has been bestowed 

 upon it on account of its remarkable habit of 

 squirting a drop of water at flies and other 

 insects perched on the water-plants above the 

 water. It is said to be able to strike down into 

 the water a fly as much as six feet distant. The 

 Malays call it " Ikan sumpit," says Dr Giinther, 

 *'and keep it in a bowl, in order to witness 

 this singular habit, which it continues even in 

 captivity." 



From the means by which fish aescry their 



