89 



The head is furnished with tactile organs, 

 which enables them to feel their way in 

 the dark. In fact, they are well adapted 

 for the life they lead. Dr. Eigenmann 

 tells us that Blind Fishes were not acci- 

 dentally swept into caves or driven there 

 by their enemies, "but entered them de- 

 liberately and avoided coming out into 

 the light." In other words, they pre- 

 ferred "darkness rather than light." 

 Having simplified eyes and highly devel- 

 oped sense organs, they were able to live 

 in the dark. The many ages they have 

 lived in the caves has better fitted them 



for their existence in total darkness. The 

 Blind Fishes were not always bHnd, but 

 have become so because of their own 

 preferences. 



The readers are, if they will only study 

 fishes, sure to find them extremely inter- 

 esting. There are a wonderful variety of 

 fishes, each well adapted for the life it 

 leads. You will find them in the brooks, 

 creeks, rivers and lakes or ocean, wher- 

 ever you happen to be, and you are sure 

 to be highly repaid for all the study or at- 

 tention you may give them. 



Seth E. Meek. 



