Tilt: si'nrn:it .M-v;/;/'/"N. //.-//. i-:n 



OTHER SCALE-FINNED FISHES. 



OF another group or sub-family of the scale linned fishes the Ai:< HI i: KI-.II is a good 

 example. It is depicted on the accotii|ianying full-|>age illustration. 



Tlii'- curious sjHvi.^ i- :i n:iti\.- uf tin- Hast Inilian ami Polynesian x-a.s, ami pOOM8M8 the 

 power ..f shooting water at its prey with even more force than the beaked chietodon. So 

 jiowerful. inde*d. is tin- projectile force, ami -.. marvellously accurate is the aim, tliat it will 

 -trike a fly with certainty at a distance of three or even four feet. In general api>earanoe, 

 there is little to attract attention alxmt this (Mi, tin- only remarkable point in its form l>eing 

 the greatly elongated lower jaw, which may ix-il>]\ :ii<l it in directing tin- liquid missile, on 

 whirli it initially dej>ends for its subsistence as does a hunter mi the accuracy of his rifle. 

 The general color of the Archer Fish is greenish, and the short. \\ile hands across the back 

 are dark brown with a shade of green. Two species of this genus are known. 



As an example of the m-xt family, the CirrhititUe, we take the BANDKD CHILODACTYLK. 

 The family t<> which this flsh belongs is a very small one. containing only i-L'ht genera, none 

 of which comprise many >|. i,-,. Altogether, this family is not larger than many single 

 genera. The meml*rs of which it is coni'msed are all exotic species, inhabiting the "seas of 

 the tropical regions and the southern temperate parts of the Pacific." 



Perplexing as is the task of ascertaining the habitution of migrating birds, the difficulty 

 of fixing the range of fishes is far leas easy to overcome, as the tnin-itioii from the tropical to 

 the temperate, and from them to the colder was, is so extremely gentle, that a fish of errant 

 disposition, or one that has been cauuht in a long-lasting storm might be, and has been often, 

 driven into strange waters which it does not know, and from which it can find no retreat. 



THE large and important family of the Triglidn?, or (turnards, is represented by several 

 European fishes. This family contains a great number of species, many of which are most 

 remarkable, not only for their beautiful color*, which alone an* sufficient to at tract attention, 

 but also for the strange and wild shajN-. ami large development of the fins. They are carniv- 

 orous fish, mostly inhabiting the seas, a \.-i\ few secies U-ing al>l- to exist in fresh water. 

 They are not swift or strong swimmers, and therefore remain, for the most part, in deep water. 

 Some, however, are able, by means of their largely developed pectoral fins, to raise themselves 

 into the air, and for a brief space to sustain themselves in the thinner element. The month is 

 mostly Urge ; and in some cases the gape in so wide, and the head and jaws so strangely 

 shaped, that the general aspect is most repulshe. 



On account of its fiery color and ungainly aspect, the RED SCORPION-FISH has long been 

 supposed to possess qualities as dangerous as its appearance is repulsive, and has been termed 

 the SEA SCORPION and SEA DEVIL, from the supposed venom of its spines and frowardneos 

 of its temper. It is, however, a harmless fish enough, not capable of inflicting such severe 

 injuries aa several species that have already been described. When captured, it certainly 

 plunges and struggles violently, in its endeavors to escape, and if handled incautiously it will 

 probably inflict some painful injuries with its bony spears. This result, however, is attribu- 

 table to the carelessness of the captor and to the natural desire for liberty, and not to any 

 malevolent propensities innate in its being. 



Another s|)ecies, the SPOTTED SCORPION-FISH (Scorpcfna porctu), represented in the 

 fine engraving on next page, has similar habits. Both these fish an- extremely voracious, 

 as may ! inferred from their wide mouth and general aspect, feeding on the small. -r 

 fish and similar creatures. They have a habit of lying in ambush, under overhanging tufts 

 of sea-weed, and thence issuing in chase of any unfortunate little fish that may happen 

 to pass near the fatal spot. All the fish of this genus an* remarkable for their large head, 

 with its armature of spines and odd skinny Haps, and the curious naked groove that runs 

 along its summit. The pectoral fins are always large and rounded, and the body is mostly 

 decorated with sundry skinny appendages. Examples of this genus are found in all 



