THE GURNARDS. 203 



has the chameleon-like power of changing its tints 

 according to the ground it haunts. Few fishes are 

 therefore better defended against enemies, if we take 

 into account the mail-clad body and the deft means 

 of concealment they have by simulating the colour or 

 tint of their hiding place. 



In many respects the gurnards are aquarium 

 favourites. The elegant shapes and usually bright 

 colours and tints of our British species would be 

 quite sufficient to induce the naturalist to place them 

 in his " show tanks." Those who have seen the 

 larger sapphirine gurnard alive will not soon forget 

 the exceedingly bright colours on the very large 

 pectoral fins, which have earned for it its popular 

 name. Some of the species are called " Butterfly 

 Gurnards " from their coloured spots, streaks, and 

 tints. Their thin and tapering bodies contrast strongly 

 with their large and somewhat angular heads. All 

 of them have well-developed pectoral fins, and it is 

 these, when coloured, that cause them to have 

 something of a butterfly appearance whilst swimming. 

 We have seen how in the angler fish three of the 

 dorsal fin rays are modified both as to their use 

 and position, so that they serve as natural angling 

 baits by which the fish attracts its prey. In the 

 gurnards we have a modification of the first three 

 of the rays of the pectoral fins, which are actually 

 used as legs, the gurnards being able to creep along 

 the sea-floor for some distance by their aid. Their 



