Academy of Sciences of Copenhagen. 307 



is a species of frog, which is called the Jisher. It derives this 

 name from the wonderful industry which it displays in procur- 

 ing its nourishment ; for in front of its eyes it has certain appen- 

 dages, which it extends like hairs, and which, dilated at the 

 extremity, form a kind of double bait. After having stirred 

 up the mud or the sand, it conceals itself, and elevates these 

 appendages ; the little fish coming to seize them, it draws 

 them into its mouth. Plutarch says ; " The Lophius fishes 

 with the line, for it throws out from its neck a filament, 

 which it extends to a distance, in the manner of a line, letting 

 it out and drawing it in at will. This being done, when it 

 perceives some small fish about it, it allows them to nibble the 

 extremity of this filament, being itself concealed beneath the 

 sand, or in the mud, when it gradually retracts that member 

 until the fish are near enough to be swallowed by a quick move- 

 ment." 



Thesejilets pecheurs, as they are called by the author, have 

 formed the subject of his researches ; he determines their na- 

 ture, and describes their general support. M. Bailly says, 

 that the third filament is articulated directly with the occi- 

 pital integument: — the Reporter thinks otherwise, and details 

 his objections. The description of the muscles which serve 

 for the various motions of the filaments is very satisfactory, and 

 shows that the ancients were not deceived with regard to the 

 purposes for which these appendages are destined. 



So voracious an animal as the Lophius, however, cannot 

 obtain, by fishing alone, sufficient to supply its wants. M. 

 Geoffroy describes the other habits of this singular fish, and 

 concludes by recommending the insertion of M. Bailly's Me- 

 moir in the Recneil des Savans etrang.ers. 



ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF COPENHAGEN. 



Qiiestions proposed for 1825. 



Class of Mathematics. — To deduce new tables of the sun 

 from a collection of the best observations, and by the assist- 

 ance of analysis, to compare these tables as well with the ob- 

 servations of Bradley as with the best of those which have been 

 made since, principally with the observations that have been 

 made with an instrument not exposed to the heat of the sun. 



Class of Physics. — Careful observations are required, hav- 

 ing for its object the discovery of the connections that exist be- 

 tuceii the promptitude of the germination] the quality of the 

 fruit and seed, and the development of the other parts of 

 plants. These observations are to be made not only on the 



acolyledons, 



