HOW FISHES FEED. 



95 



of the star-fishes or sea-anemones. Another 

 deep-sea fish (Melanocetns\ mentioned by Dr 

 Giinther as occasionally taken at depths of from 

 360 to 1800 fathoms, is equally successful in 

 these feats of swallowing. From the stomach of 

 ;a specimen not quite four inches in length, 



FIG. 9. Chiasmodus niger, a deep sea fish (1.500 fathoms) from 

 the N. Atlantic. It has swallowed another fish a species 

 of Scopeius much larger than itself, which can be seen 

 through the walls of the body, made transparent by disten- 

 tion. Note the displaced ventral fin of Chiasmodus (after 

 Giinther). 



another fish seven and a half inches in length 

 and one inch in depth was taken. It was 

 spirally coiled into a ball. From the stomach 

 of the fishing-frog of our coasts other fish have 

 frequently been taken which equalled their de- 

 stroyer in size. 



Another of these victims to an insatiable hunger 

 is the Plagyodus ferox. Some six feet in length, 

 he is a monster to be dreaded ; the nameless 

 terror of the mysterious dark shades and regions 

 of awful stillness and eternal night. From the 



