The Rising Generation 21 



would be unable to hold their own in 

 the crowd of plankton foes through 

 which they make their harassed way, 

 were it not for their almost complete 

 inconspicuousness. These larval fish are 

 frequently all but colourless, and are 

 quite transparent. Colour in such fishes 

 first appears in the form of isolated spots 

 of pigment that multiply and expand 

 over the entire surface until they join 

 up to form a uniform ground colour. A 

 striking example of special protection in 

 the young stages is that of the sun-fish, 

 which in maturity may measure eight 

 feet in length and weigh nearly two tons. 

 As a baby it would fall a prey to in- 

 numerable foes but for a covering of 

 enormous spines that make the little 

 creature look like the tip of a giant's 

 club. Another instance of special pro- 

 vision for a life at the sea surface in 

 nursery days is offered by the enormous 

 angler fish which is sometimes known 



