THE FISHERMAN. 97 



numerous. Some are very tiny and are called 

 millions (Pcecilidae) ; they are very useful in 

 keeping down mosquito larvae. They are also 

 interesting for the fact that they are viviparous. 

 Living as they do in the shallowest ditches where 

 the water runs off very quickly, they must be 

 prepared to move with it. This might be a dis- 

 advantage if eggs were laid, but as it is the 

 mother is able to lead off her young as soon as 

 they are born. 



There are also lovely fishes called silver-bait, 

 but possibly the most curious are the fresh-water 

 flying-fishes or hatchet-bellies (Gastropelicinae), 

 which skim along above the surface, when dis- 

 turbed, for several yards. These are very active 

 and may be contrasted with the Cychlidae, which 

 are quite deliberate in their movements, quite 

 ready, however, to flap out of the water on the 

 appearance of the spiky-toothed fishes which are 

 their natural enemies. A very beautiful class 

 have peacock-feather spots, glowing with rainbow 

 colours. 



