THE RIBAND-SHAPED FISH. 305 



with the " scaly-fins," is the Archer, a fish about six or eight 

 inches in length, which, when it perceives a fly or other 

 winged insect hovering over the surface or settled on a 

 twig, propels against it with considerable force a drop of 

 liquid from its mouth, so as to drive it into the water; in 

 attacking an insect at rest, it usually approaches cautiously, 

 and very deliberately takes its aim. It is said to be an amuse- 

 ment with the Chinese in Java to keep this fish in confinement 

 in a large vessel of water, in order that they may witness its 

 dexterity. They fasten a fly or other insect to the side of 

 the vessel, when the fish aims at it with such precision 

 that it rarely misses its mark. This Japanese fish is called 

 the Chelmon rostratus. Another genus — the Toxotus jacu- 

 lata — shoots its watery deluge to the height of three or four 

 feet, and strikes with unerring aim the insect attacked. 



The family of " Riband-shaped Fish " includes the most 

 singular and extraordinary fishes in creation. The form of 

 the body when compared to fishes better known is much 

 like that of the eel, the length being in the same propor- 

 tion as the breadtli; but then it is so much compressed 

 that these creatures have obtained the popular name of 

 "riband-fish," 'Math" or "deal-fish.^ The body, indeed, is 

 often not thicker, except in its middle, than is a sword; 

 and being covered with the- richest silver, and of great 

 length, the undulating motion of these fishes in the sea 

 must be resplendent and beautiful beyound measure. But 

 these w^onders of the mighty deep are almost hidden from 

 the eye of man. These metoric fishes appear to live in 

 the greatest depths, and it is only at long intervals, and 

 after a succession o^ tempests, that a solitary individual 

 is cast on the shore, with its delicate body torn and mu- 

 tilated by the elements on the rocks. 



The family of the " Wrasses," or '' Old Wives of the Sea" 

 — as they are commonly called — include some very beautiful 

 species, and are distinguished by their elegant, regular, and 



