1 3 4 



BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



For other accounts, and very complete history of the family, see " Re 

 port of Fish Commission," 1880. 



Angel-Fishes (Chatodontida). The Chatodon rostra- 

 tus of Java has elongated jaws, through which, according 

 to Cobbold and others, it can shoot drops of water at in- 

 sects on overhanging bushes (Fig. 226). The archer-fish 

 (Toxotes) has a prolonged under jaw, and by the same au- 

 thorities is also accredited with shooting powers. 



Surgeon - Fishes (AcantJiurida), The doctor-fish- 

 es are common on the Florida reef, and are at times 

 found farther north. They are from six to eight inches 

 long, and have at the side of the narrow, keel-like por- 

 tion of the tail a lance-like blade that can be thrown 

 out at will, and proves a dangerous weapon.* 



C 1 i m bing- 

 Fishes (Labyrin- 

 thici) These fish- 

 es, mostly from the 

 East Indies, are 

 noted for their pow- 

 ers of living out of 

 water. To this end 

 they have accesso- 

 ry gill-cavities, or 

 labyrinthine organs 

 (Fig. 227) that con- 

 tain air and not wa- 

 ter, as often stated. 



FIG. 2^7. Anabas scandcns : head, with k, the 

 gill-cavity, laid open, and /, cavity contain- 

 ing the foliated labyrinthine structure. 



NOTE. The Anabas (see frontispiece) has been known to live out 

 of water fcr five or six days, and makes long trips overland when 

 the pools dry up. In certain parts of India they have been seen leav- 

 ing the water in schools and crossing the country, using their pectoral 



* In specimens kept in an aquarium on the Florida reef they were 

 found to be extremely pugnacious, striking their knives against all 

 new-comers, lacerating and cutting them severely. 



