24 The Under-Water World 



sideways, developing a more and more 

 pronounced lilt in some species to star- 

 board, in others to port, as the moving 

 eye continues its march towards the 

 opposite side of the head. By the time 

 the eyes have reached their permanent 

 station the fish itself will be found to be 

 resting completely on one side. The 

 lower part of the body the '' blind 

 side " remains white and colourless, 

 whilst the upper surface gradually be- 

 comes mottled, the colour scheme 

 blending perfectly with the bed on which 

 the fish lies. 



The care of the young, and the 

 ensurance of the continuation of every 

 form of life is ever Nature's first care. 

 In the water world elaborate precautions 

 are observed, so that each form of life 

 shall have some chance of holding its 

 own and perpetuating itself in a universe 

 that teems with enemies both obvious 

 and hidden. As we advance in the scale 



