THE TRIUMPH OF LIFE 



animals have special protective coverings, espe- 

 cial lids, that close them when a danger ap- 

 proaches so the illuminating apparatus contains 

 the possibility of extinguishing itself conveni- 

 ently at desire. There, the ghostly blue flames 

 start apart in a trice. Their lights have sud- 

 denly shown the little fishes a great hideous fish 

 that rushes upon them with open jaws. It were 

 much the better for them if they were to in- 

 stantly extinguish their own lamps so that the 

 enemy should not see them. This enemy him- 

 self has as yet displayed no lantern. He only 

 gazes with gigantic eyes into the darkness, to 

 discover here or there the little blue lights which 

 betray to him the victims he desires to devour. 

 In this way he has stolen up successfully; but 

 the blue searchlights of the little fish finally 

 struck him and betrayed him. Before he could 

 close with a snap, the searchlights were all ex- 

 tinguished, the game flees in the welcome dark- 

 ness. Then suddenly the hunter himself throws 

 out a star like green fire, he has set his light or- 

 gan that can be regulated at will into action for 

 the first time. Alas for the little fishes ! Now the 

 great fish sees them in the glow of his own 

 searchlight. We understand: the pursuer like 

 the pursued has here the need of being able at 

 will to extinguish and kindle his lamp. If the 

 little blue fishes meet smaller ones that they 

 themselves can eat they will act in the opposite 

 36 



