Odd Fish 159 



voluminous flaps of skin beneath the 

 chin, forming a tangle that sweeps 

 the bottom and probably enmeshes the 

 animals that evade the seduction of 

 the phosphorescent lure. A very queer 

 angler indeed is one emanating from the 

 North Atlantic, for in this type the male 

 is minute and parasitic upon the lumpish 

 female. The inconspicuous husband, in 

 fact, becomes literally grafted to his 

 bulky bride, whose blood supply he 

 actually shares. 



The little viviparous Sword-tail fish of 

 the rivers of Mexico deserve mention 

 whilst still upon the theme of marital 

 relationship. For some reason, as yet 

 imperfectly understood, the females, 

 having delivered themselves of their 

 third brood, sometimes change sex, 

 developing the exaggerated sword-shaped 

 tail denoting that " Mrs." has become 

 ' Mr." It has been suggested that this 

 is merely Nature's way of equalising the 



