The Zoologist — December, 1874. 4265 



a few da3-s only have j'et elapsed since the arrival of our specimen at Man- 

 chester, the favourable opportunities of watching its habits and studying its 

 form have already elicited data scarcely to be obtained except by the obser- 

 vation of a living fish. Commencing with generalities, one of the most 

 striking features that first attracted my notice in this specimen was the 

 remarkable likeness of the animal's head to a mass of rugged rock — the 

 irregular outline formed by the prominent ridges of its upper surface, and 

 the excessive projection of the massive lower jaw, especially favouring this 

 simile. Following up the idea still further, the illusion was found to be 

 carried out to an extent altogether marvellous to contemplate. This prpmi- 

 nent lower jaw in itself formed a natural rocky ledge springing from the 

 parent mass. Along its lower margin are dependent, in the most highly 

 developed state, those singular lobulate processes which extend in a straight 

 line backward to the creature's tail. The size and shape of these processes 

 vary considerably, though generally following a more or less leaf-like contour, 

 and one between every two or three being much longer than its neighbours. 

 As far as I am aware, no attempt has yet been made to explain the purpose 

 or function of these appendages ; but to one accustomed to hunting for 

 marine treasures at low tide on a rocky coast fine, their resemblance to the 

 small flat calcareous sponges {Grantia compressa), ascidians, zoophytes, and 

 other low invertebrate organisms which fringe the lower margin of every 

 conspicuous ledge, is strikingly suggestive. The next point we arrive at is 

 the wonderful apparatus upon its head, with which the animal has been 

 supposed to lure on its prey to destruction. It consists of two erectile fila- 

 ments, the foremost of which is produced at its extremity into a membranous 

 digitiform expansion. According to the books, this expanded membrane 

 owes its especial attractive qualities as a bait to fish in its vicinity to the 

 glittering metallic colours which play upon its surface. As far as I can 

 ascertain, however, by both personal observation and that of others, no such 

 distinctive colouring really exists, the membrane sharing the sombre hues of 

 the general surface of the body. Following out our rock simile, these organs 

 yield another point remarkably favourable thereto ; the foremost filament, 

 with its digitiform membrane, is the facsimile of a young frond of oar-wecd 

 [Laminaria digitata) in both shape and colour ; and in the tendril behind it 

 we have a repetition of the same with the blade of the frond, as it were, worn 

 away by the current of the ocean. Our rock, however, is not yet clothed 

 with all the growths that contribute to perfect its mimicry of nature ; for 

 where we might least expect it— that is, in the animal's eyes — we find the 

 most extraordinary mimicry of all. These organs are very large and pro- 

 minent, the iris being conical in shape, of a yellow ground colour, with 

 longitudinal stripes of a darker shade, while the pupil, commencing abruptly 

 at the summit, is of so jetty a hue that the aspect of the whole is that of a 

 hollow truncated cone, resembling, with its longitudinal stripes, the deserted 



