SE 



SHALLOW-WATER FAUNA OF THE TROPICS. 55 



nificance can be attached. I have not particularly 

 noticed the effect of the ribbons of membrane, 

 which project from the dorsal fin. But I have 

 observed that the movements of the dory are very 

 gradual except in turning ; it alters the position 

 of its body by a turn of the tail or side fins, and 

 then slowly swims forward by vibrating the 

 second dorsal and ventral, a movement which 

 causes very slight disturbance of the water. The 

 | whole appearance of the dory in these actions is 

 suggestive of suppressed excitement, his eyes 

 being fixed on his prey." 



We have now considered some of the chief 

 features of animal life in the shallow seas, the 

 illustrations being taken principally from the 

 regions of our home shores. The shallow 

 waters of the tropics present us with so many 

 phenomena of striking interest and importance, 

 that the subject would be most incompletely 

 treated if they were left out of consideration 

 altogether, and, therefore, our next chapter will 

 be devoted to them. 



m 



CHAPTER III. 



SHALLOW-WATER FAUNA OF THE TROPICS. 



THE shallow waters of the Tropical seas present 

 us with so many different conditions of tides, of 

 coast lines, of temperature, of liability to storms, 

 and of other natural phenomena, that we find an 

 infinite variety in the general character of their 



