EING OF THE HERRINGS, OR RABBIT FISH. 47 



unlike that of an elongated carrot with wings. The 

 total length of the largest specimen is thirty-two inches ; 

 the fins are long and wing-like, and when outstretched 

 they measure from point to point fourteen inches ; they 

 are very thin, almost transparent, and are doubtless 

 admirably suited to the habits of the animal. The 

 dorsal fin runs down the whole length of the body, and 



KING OF THE HEKEIXGS, OR RABBIT FISH. 



terminates in a tail about the size of a whipcord, 

 diminishing to that of very fine string, and then to the 

 size of fishing-gut. Upon his back the chimpera carries 

 a very sharp and formidable spine, the tip of which is 

 as pointed as a needle ; it is slightly serrated at its 

 lower edge, and gives attachment to a large fin which 

 probably steadies the fish in the water. This spine 

 works up and down by means of a complicated joint. 



The whole of this dorsal apparatus can be lowered so 

 as to fit in a long and narrow depression in the centre 

 of the back. The action of this spine in raising and 

 depressing the fin resembles that of a movable mast 

 raising and lowering the sail of a barge. 



The head has cm'ious ribbed-like markings ux^on it, 

 reminding one somewhat of the pattern of the armom' 

 on the sturgeon's head. The peculiar markings over 

 the mouth and along the nose (which give the idea 

 of the skin having been sewn up with a needle and 

 thread) represent elevations on the skin which are 



