The Mighty Deep 



Not only are fishes light in make, often weigh- 

 ing hardly more than the water which upholds 

 them ; but also, unlike most backboned animals, 

 they are cold-blooded. A few deep-sea kinds 

 have no eyes, though commonly they can see and 

 hear and smell well. 



In the sense of feeling they are believed to be 

 very deficient, and it is doubtful whether they 

 suffer any pain at all, in the true sense of 

 the word. Probably they can be conscious of 

 discomfort. 



One of their unfailing characteristics is the 

 possession of a stupendous appetite, and with it 

 of a superlatively good digestion. They live to 

 eat ; and they are at it incessantly. Perhaps in 

 their case it does not always mean greediness, 

 but only a due satisfying of Nature's needs. 



Certainly, as a race, they are not troubled with 

 daintiness ; and if they love variety of fare, they 

 can have the same with ease. Pretty much what- 

 ever comes in their path is gulped down without 

 hesitation "gobbled up in the twink of an eye." 

 Most of them, in cannibalistic style, feed without 

 compunction upon other fishes. 



While they may be popularly said to " breathe 

 water," because they take in water instead of air, 

 they depend upon life-sustaining oxygen every 



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