FISH, THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA 



trout hook upon a fine thread is likely to be their* 

 undoing in skilful hands. 



Of course with a net these little fish might be 

 caught, but nobody has a net of small enough mesh 

 to hold them, and as they live in and out of the 

 most amazing network of coral grottoes, it would 

 be a problem how to get the net up without let- 

 ting them escape. 



Careful search round suitable rocks may some- 

 times discover the moonfish, which is the most 

 delicately beautiful creature. It is banded with 

 black and white of exquisite colour, with two long 

 ventral and one similar dorsal fin. The tail seems 

 to be sharp-pointed, but in a tumbler of water, 

 in which the little creature will live for a day or 

 two, if the water is frequently changed, it is just 

 possible with the naked eye to distinguish a filmy 

 fin encircling what is actually only the central 

 spine of the tail. Its nose is blunt and round, 

 and the eye, which is not small, seems to wear 

 a black stripe right through it. I believe it never 

 grows much larger than an inch and a half, while 

 specimens are often found no longer than half an 

 inch. If it is abundant anywhere, I cannot find the 

 place. Only by wading and carefully scrutinising 

 likely corners can it be found at all. I have 

 found only three or four rocks where it lives ; but 

 when bathing in possible places, a water glass and 

 a butterfly net will be found a fruitful source of 



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