ANGLER FISH AND THEIR ALLIES 2749 



in those of the Admiralty islands. In the British species the general color of the 

 upper surface is uniform brown, becoming darker on the fin membranes; while the 

 under parts, as well as the pectoral and pelvic fins, are white; the tail being dark 

 blackish brown. The color is, however, subject to a certain amount of modifica- 

 tion, according to the tint of the inanimate surroundings of the individual. Al- 

 though commonly not more than a yard in length, specimens of this ugly monster 

 have been known to measure more than five feet. In all respects the angler affords 

 us an example of a creature most admirably modified and adapted for the exigencies 

 of its particular mode of life. Living on the mud or sand of a shallow sea bottom, 

 the angler is protected not only by its power of adapting its own coloration to that of 

 its environment, but likewise by the fringed appendages surrounding the head pre- 

 senting the appearance of a mass of seaweed. The structure of the paired fins ren- 

 ders the fish able to walk on the sea bottom ; and with these limbs it also stirs up at 

 times the sand and mud to attract its prey, and at the same time to aid in concealing 

 its own ugly person. Fish and other prey are also attracted by the constant 

 movement of the first tentacle on the head, the summit of which terminates in 

 an expanded lappet; and no sooner is the unfortunate victim well within reach, 

 than it is engulfed with one snap of the capacious mouth; the erectile and 

 backwardly-directed teeth preventing anj^ chance of escape from this avernus. 



As an example of a pelagic genus of the family we select the tenta- 

 cle fish (Antennarias) , so remarkable for their nest building habits. 

 In these fishes the large head is elevated and compressed; the cleft of the mouth 

 being quite or nearly vertical, and of only moderate width. There are rasp-like 

 teeth on the palate and jaws; the eyes are small and lateral; the body may be either 

 naked, or covered with granules or spines, which may be modified into tentacles; 

 and the head is furnished with three tentacles very similar to those of the true 

 anglers. The soft dorsal is of moderate length, and the anal short; pelvic fins be- 

 ing present. Although chiefly tropical, these fishes are often carried far into the 

 temperate seas; and many of them have a most extensive range, being found alike 

 in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Feeble swimmers, these fishes are not unfre- 

 quently to be found near the coast, where they conceal themselves beneath corals, 

 stones, or seaweed, to which they hold fast by their arm-like pectoral fins. They 

 have also been observed to hop over moist ground or slimy seaweed, and at times 

 conceal themselves in the mud, after the manner of the true anglers, attracting 

 their prey by the movements of the first tentacle on the head, the extremity of 

 which, when in motion, much resembles a worm. When at sea, they have the 

 power of inflating their bodies in the same way as the globe fishes. It has been ob- 

 served that one of these fishes placed in a basin containing a small quantity of water 

 produced so strong a current by the passage of water through its jaws, and its sub- 

 sequent expulsion through the gill orifice, that a rapid rotatory motion resulted. 

 "The gulf weed," writes Day, "assists the migration of these fishes; during the 

 winter months the prevailing winds bring to the islands of the Bermudas large 

 fields as well as isolated patches of weed, on which many fishes find a home, and 

 among them Antennarias. Here it makes its wonderful nest, suspended by means 

 of silk-like fibres, which prove strong enough to support the huge bunches of eggs 



