324 EAETH TRESPASSERS. 



were evacuated from the mouth, and the body col- 

 lapsed. Dissection proved that the cavity of the 

 stomach was the part thus distended. This fish has 

 no ribs, though it has a very distinct sternum. Its 

 swim bladder is small, and of ovoid form. 



' ' The native name for the fish is obu te tai, or the 

 Sea Belly, expressive of the power it has of inflating 

 the abdomen to a large size." 



These fishes are all tropical, and are mostly found 

 upon the vast masses of floating seaweed wldch are so 

 characteristic of these seas. Their peculiarly formed 

 leg- like fins aid them in walking over the weeds, and 

 they are further aided by their power of inflating the 

 body. 



Perhaps the reader may ask for the reason why the 

 Climbicg Perch should be able to pass so much of its 

 time upon the land. It is to be found in the climate 

 and physical geography of the country in which they 

 live. The climate is hot, and the supply of water is 

 uncertain. Hence, if fishes are to exist at all, the 

 conditions of existence demand that they should not 

 require much water for respiration, that they should be 

 able to procure that limited supply of water wherever 

 it may be found, and that the means of transit shall be 

 supplied to them. If all or any of these conditions be 

 missing, this group of fishes must perish. 



Now in the warmer parts of Asia, where these 

 fishes most abound, the supply of water is very un- 

 certain, and the pools become less and less in pro- 

 portion to the want of rain, sometimes drying up 

 altogether. Thus, the fish is in the proverbially 

 unpleasant position of being not only out of water, 



