SHALLOW-WATER FAUNA. 39 



want of symmetry as can be found in any Verte- 

 brate. 



Some of the Bony Fish, however, that live on 

 the sand are flattened dorso-ventrally like the 

 Skates. The Angler or Fishing-frog, for example, 

 is a Flat Fish, which is perfectly symmetrical. Like 

 the other Flat Fish its upper surface is coloured 

 in such a manner as to resemble the ground on 

 which it lives. Its great mouth, armed with 

 formidable rows of sharp-pointed teeth, is directed 

 upwards, and it receives its name from a curious 

 tentacle terminating in a brightly-coloured knob 

 which dangles over its mouth. The brightly 

 coloured knob looks no doubt a tempting morsel 

 to the little Fish upon which the Angler preys, 

 but the greed or curiosity, whichever it may be, 

 that induces them to inspect the bait leads them 

 to the fate which follows one snap of the great 

 tooth-armed jaws. 



The Fauna of the shallow waters where rocks 

 abound also possesses many peculiarities. In the 

 first place we must remember that the rocks, 

 being firm and hard, present a basis upon which 

 many of the sedentary forms of life that would 

 be swept away or smothered if they attempted 

 to live on the ever-shifting sands, can fix them- 

 selves. Consequently the rocky bottom is char- 

 acterised by a rich Fauna of those groups of 

 animals, which, in the adult condition, are im- 

 moveably fixed. If a large stone or a water- 

 logged piece of timber that has been at a depth 

 of a few fathoms for some months or years be 

 captured in the dredge and brought on board 

 for examination, it is sure to present the observer 



