158 The Under-Water World 



the normal so dramatically as the massive 

 angler fish. They spend their life on the 

 ocean floor, luring other fishes into their 

 ever-smiling jaws by means of fin-rays 

 situated immediately over the head, and 

 which act as living rods and lines with 

 bait complete. A fish is attracted to the 

 waving flap of skin on the tip of one of 

 these living rods and seizes it. Instantly 

 the rod dips so that it overhangs the 

 enormous mouth a sudden snap, and 

 the catch is bagged. Such are the 

 methods of the common angler fish of 

 our coast. But anglers are found in all 

 parts of the world, and in all depths of 

 water, and each form is specially adapted 

 to its environment. Some inhabiting the 

 ocean depths have the tips of their rods 

 illuminated by comparatively large bulbs 

 of phosphorescent light. In some of 

 these deep-sea forms the rod is developed 

 into a whip lash ten times the length 

 of the fish itself, whilst a few carry 



