CHIMERA AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS. 21 



the gut empty in as many as 5 examples out of 16. The explanation of this is, 

 however, we believe, not necessarily due to cessation of feeding, for it is found that 

 the fish does not cease to feed even while in the act of depositing eggs. On the 

 other hand, from the simplicity of the valve of the gut* it is quite probable, as 

 experiments on living fish have convinced the writer, that the food material is voided 

 between the times of hooking the fish and of drawing it into the boat. 



Another curious feature connected with feeding is that Chimaera, in spite of 

 the small size of its mouth, can ingest objects of large size. Thus it was found that 

 a specimen of C. collici of moderate size, one whose mouth appeared too small to 

 admit a finger tip, had ingested a fish 6 or 7 inches in length. Whether it had 

 swallowed it in a single piece is doubtful, but judging from a section of vertebral 

 column, a fragment 2 or 3 inches long had been taken. Another specimen had swal- 

 lowed a portion of a crab's carapace nearly an inch in length. Indeed, the usual 

 baits taken measure over an inch in diameter, and it is found that they are easily 

 bolted, not cut or crushed by the dental plates. No observations are recorded as to 

 the way in which the small and delicately shaped mouth behaves while feeding. As 

 far as the experience of the writer goes, a fish will not feed in captivity, and it can 

 rarely be induced to notice a bait. In one instance the mouth opened rather widely 

 and the jaws snapped together with an audible click. It was evident, however, even 

 from a single observation, that the mouth is accurately adjusted and can focus 

 its stroke with precision, somewhat after the fashion of the beak of a bird; and 

 there can be no doubt that the dental plates of this species form together a powerful 

 instrument for cutting, rather than crushing. On one occasion the writer saw them 

 part the line of a trawl. 



In spite of formidable dentition and erectile dorsal spine, Chimaera is preyed 

 upon by other fis'h. According to Olsson it is eaten by Somniosus microccf>halns, and 

 small specimens have been found in the stomach contents of cod. 



*The stomach is broadly continuous with the intestine ; when food is found it usually occurs in the first turn of the 

 intestinal valve. 



