96 



parently tempting morsel of a fully-expanded polyp. (Com- 

 pare with this the eating of sponges by the Dasje, noted on p. 97.) 



Bamboo-fish {Box saipa). 



Among the iish with cutting teeth is the Bamboo-fish, 

 specially adapted for feeding on the finer sea weeds. Its teeth 

 are sharp and lobed on their cutting edges for the tearing up 

 of vegetable matter. They have a long intestine, like most 

 vegetable feeders, and are thus much modiiied for this parti- 

 cular mode of life. It was remarkable, however, to note how 

 quickly they adopted the habit of the carni^'orous fish, when 

 supplied with animal food. Some fish will starve before they 

 discover that food, other than what they were accustomed to, 

 is good. (See observation on Horse-fish.). 



The Bamboo-fish is a rather pretty little fish (" Mooinoitje '* 

 is one of its names), with bright yellow stripes along its sides 

 (hence another local name " Streepje "). The significance of 

 this colouring was not apparent from any observations made. 



Dasje {Sargus capensis). 



This fish is one which, in its natural habitat, is found in 

 shoals. It is short and high with a somewhat rounded body, 

 so as to suggest in general appearance that of a rabbit or a 

 hyrax (Dasje). Nearly all are distinguished by a large dark 

 patch over the tail, which would appear to be a recognition 

 mark, by which individuals can recognise their own kind, and 

 follow readily the rapid movements of the shoal. An indi- 

 vidual may now and then be seen without this mark, and in 

 some it is rather faint. 



How sensitive each indi\'idual is to the movements of the 

 shoal was repeatedly demonstrated in one of the fish which 

 happened to be blind of one eye. All these fish can be easily 

 attracted to the glass of the tank, and if a sudden movement is 

 made they scatter rapidly in various directions. The fish with 

 the blind eye sometimes happened to be so placed that it could 

 not see the cause of the disturbance, and yet it was observed 

 to dash off almost simultaneously with the others. 



Individually, these fish seem rather feeble and harmless 

 creatures, but owing to their persistent nibbling at any likely 

 food, they are factors to be reckoned with in the strenuous life 

 in the sea. More than once it has been observed that even 

 large fish fall a prey to their attacks. They have sharp, cutting 

 teeth, which project well in front of their somewhat acutely- 

 shaped head. Should they discover some wound or weak point 



