THE SCHOOL OF THE SHORE 53 



differ so much in fishes from the same 

 reef. 



So it has been suggested that they are 

 warning colours, useful in impressing enemies 

 with the fact that many of these brilliant 

 fishes are unpalatable and best left alone. 

 And another view is that coral-reef fishes are 

 so safe, with so many holes and corners to 

 play hide-and-seek in that they can afford 

 to be any colour. On this view, the colours 

 are of no more use than the colours of wither- 

 ing leaves. 



On the other hand, Mr. W. H. Longley, 

 who has walked about on the floor of the coral 

 sea and watched the fishes for hours, main- 

 tains that many of the most brilliantly col- 

 oured are very well camouflaged when they 

 are in the particular kind of corner that they 

 like best as a home. Some have two kinds of 

 coloured pattern, suited for two haunts a 

 sort of Jekyll and Hyde business. Some are 

 longitudinally striped or with no pattern 

 when on the move and cross-striped when they 

 settle down. It looks as if there was a great 

 deal of useful camouflaging. 



