274 TROPICAL DOCTOR FISHES. 



troublesome to encounter. The fins are spiny, and the gill- 

 cover is furnished with a strong and sharp spine, Avhich is 

 directed backward, but is capable of being made erect to 

 meet an enemy. This they use by a sudden bending of the 

 body. The little weever buries itself in the sand, watching 

 for its prey, leaving only its snout exposed, and if trod upon, 

 it immediately uses its weapon with great force. 



We have, in the chapter on " The Floating Navigators of 

 the Ocean," alluded to the stinging powers of the Physalis, 

 or ''Portuguese man-of-war." It is a common trick with 

 sailors to make a novice pick up one of these beautiful crea- 

 tures, and then enjoy his discomfiture. 



The Acanthuri (signifying " a spine " and " tail"), tropical 

 fishes, some of Avhich are remarkable for beauty of form and 

 variety of colors, possess also a power of inflicting dangerous 

 stings or wounds, which has obtained for them the name of 

 " doctors " from our sailors, on account of the severe wounds 

 they inflict on such as handle them unwarily. They have 

 teeth trenchant and notched, and a strong spine at each 

 side of the tail as sharp as a lancet, whence they are also 

 called lancet-fishes. With these weapons they defend them- 

 selves with courage and success against the largest of their 

 assailants. Many other fishes possess the same power of 

 inflicting stings and wounds : living a life of constant warfare 

 in the deep, Nature has bestowed upon them means of de- 

 fence and for procuring their prey. 



It is worthy of observation that, with very few excep- 

 tions, the immense population of the ocean is carnivorous. 

 The principal circumstance that regulates the choice of diet 

 among fishes seems to be the power of mastery. Of terres- 

 trial creatures, a very large number are peaceful, never, un- 

 der ordinary circumstances, willingly taking the life of even 

 the most helpless around them ; but the sea is a vast slaugh- 

 ter-house, where nearly every inhabitant dies a violent death, 

 and finds a grave in the maw of his fellow. Yet let us not 



