THE SEA-HORSE ANGLER. 



467 



pable of offensive operations against animals more powerful than 

 themselves. 



The branchial orifices, or gills, on each side of the neck of the 

 Lamprey, are mistaken by many persons for eyes. This fish is 

 destitute of bones, having only strong cartilages in place of them. 



TIIE SEA-HORSE. 



The singular fish called the Sea-Horse has often been found off the 

 southern coasts of England. 

 The habits of this fish are 

 very singular and inter- 

 esting. A pair were kept 

 alive for some time in a 

 glass vessel, and exhibited 

 considerable activity and 

 intelligence. They swam 

 about with an undulating 

 kind of movement, and 

 frequently twined their 

 tails round the weeds placed in their prison. Their eyes moved 

 independently of each other, like those of the Chameleon,, aod the 

 changeable tints of tlie head closely resemble that animal. 



More than once, these curious fifth 



have been seen curled up in oysfcer 



shells. 



The singular creatures called Pij:e- 



fish also belong to the Syngnathida). 



THE ANGLER, OR FISHING FROG 



The Angler, or Fishing Frog, as it is more generally called, is not 

 uncommon in all the European seas. The peculiar formation of ita 

 pectoral fins enables it to crawl for some distance on land. 



On its head are two elongated bony appendages, curiously articu- 

 lated to the skull by a joint formed some- 

 thing like the links of a chain, and capable 

 of movement in any direction. The An- 

 gler couches close to the bottom of the 

 eea, and by the movement of its pectoral 

 fini, stirs up the sand and mud, and agitates 

 the bony appendages amid the turbid 

 cloud produced. The small fishes, observ- 

 ing the muddy water, and taking the 

 filaments for worms, approach to seize 

 them, and are instantly engulphed in the capacious iaws of the craftv 

 Angler. 



The voracity of the Angler is so great, that when caught in a net 



