THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 187 



of them. It has even been known to come on shore, 

 and remain several days without any communica- 

 tion with the water. On the head of this fish there 

 are one or two slender horns, furnished at the tip 

 with several processes resembling little worms. The 

 use of these organs is very remarkable. The fish is 

 not one of swift motion, and therefore cannot take 

 its prey by pursuit: instead of this, it usually con- 

 ceals itself among the mud at the bottom, or per- 

 haps among the stalks of floating weed, while it 

 agitates its curious fleshy horns ; their resemblance 

 to worms and their motion attract other fishes, 

 which, coming within reach, are seized by the capa- 

 cious mouth of the latent Toad-fish. The lower jaw 

 extending beyond the upper, causes the mouth to 

 open perpendicularly, and the eyes are so situated 

 as to look in the same direction, both of which 

 arrangements facilitate the capture of prey by this 

 singular mode. It is not improbable that the worm- 

 like tentacles attached to the mouth and chin of 

 other fishes, as the Cod and Barbie, for example, 

 answer an end somewhat similar to this. 



In keeping small marine animals for examination, 

 we often lose the specimens through the water be- 

 coming speedily unfit for supporting animal life; 

 a minute Shrimp or two, or a fish of an inch in 

 length, if confined in a large basin of water, will 

 usually exhaust the oxygen during the night, and 

 be dead by the morning. A little living seaweed, 

 however, placed with them, will prevent, or, at least, 

 delay this, as plants in a living state give out oxygen. 



Every night the pole-star is perceptibly nearer the 



