PEGASUS. Ptgasus 



3KA DIIAGON. Jftgaims draw. 



it. draws the eye back against the sac of fluid, which is thus forced into the folds of skin, 

 and distends them so largely as nearly to conceal the entire organ behind them. 



While swimming quietly along, and suffered to be undisturbed, it generally remains 

 so near the surface that its elevated dorsal fin projects above the water. Only in warm, 

 calm weather is it seen in this attitude, and during a stormy season it remains near the bed 

 of the sea, and contents itself with feeding on the seaweeds which grow so luxuriantly at 

 the bottom of the shallower ocean-waters. 



The colour of the Sun-fish is greyish brown, darker upon the back than on the sides of 

 the abdomen, and the skin is hard and rough. It often attains a very great size, one that 

 was harpooned on the equator measuring six feet in 'length. Several species of Sun-fish 

 are known. 



IN the strange-looking fishes which are represented in the accompanying illustration, 

 we have farther instances of the inexhaustible variations of form and structure with which 

 this world teems, and which seem to be more plentiful, more bizarre, and more incompre- 

 hensible in the ocean than on the earth, in the air, or even in the rivers and other fresh 

 waters of the globe. 



The order to which these creatures belong is known under the name of Lophobranchii, 

 or Crest-gilled fishes ; so called on account of the form of the gills, which are composed of 

 little round tufts, and nearly hidden by the gill-cover. There is but little flesh upon the 

 bodies of these remarkable fishes, which are protected by a hard bony armour, which, when 

 examined, is found to be most beautifully constructed, so as to protect the animal and to 

 allow of annual increase of dimensions. 



The habits of the Lophobranchiate fish are not less remarkable than their forms, more 

 especially those instinctive customs which relate to the continuation of their species. In 

 almost every case, the eggs are given into the care of the male fish, who is provided with 

 some apparatus suitable for the onerous task which he undertakes. In some species, the 

 eggs are placed in certain folds or pouches of skin on the abdomen, breast, or tail ; in others 

 they are carried between the ventral fins ; and in others again they are deposited in rows 

 on the abdomen or breast, and there retained until the young escape from their prison. 



