FISH NOTES 241 



adventure. The remaining fish were, however, 

 frozen later on in the ice, which became a solid 

 block, breaking the glass globe to pieces. I placed 

 the ice containing the fish (which were Goldfish and 

 Sticklebacks) in a vessel in the temperature of about 

 70 to 75 degrees, and when the ice had all thawed, I 

 found every one floating on the top dead. I think 

 this will show that when fish are frozen in a block of 

 solid ice, they will not return to life again. 



"E. A. C." 



ACTING ON THE DEFENSIVE 



Several species of fish when taken alive show more 

 or less fight. In May 1895 I was on the beach 

 with some draw-netters who hauled ashore several 

 small Gurnards. Upon handling one or two, they 

 astonished me by the quick and decisive way they 

 struck from right to left and vice versa, with gill- 

 covers opened, making vicious stabs with the sharp 

 points with which they are armed. 



Quite as designedly, and with even more show of 

 intelligence, does the Lesser Weever fling itself, with 

 its ugly dorsal fin distended obliquely, at any object 

 that is near it. I have teased this squirming little 



rebel with my walking-stick as it lay swelling itself 

 16 



