94 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
has no means of shaping its mouth into a tubular form, and it 
must be conceded that, with such a head kept entirely under water, 
it would be impossible to propel a drop of water through the 
water, to reach the surface, as described in the case of jaculator. 
This is so self-evident, that the artist in Cassell’s plate has 
elevated the whole of the fish’s head out of the water; having 
accomplished which, it no longer accords with Governor Hommel’s 
description of facts wherein he observes, “‘I never could see any 
part of the mouth out of the water.” 
This brings us face to face with the following question: Is 
Governor Hommel’s account inaccurate? It certainly does not 
refer to Toxotes. I accepted it as pertaining to Chelmon, which 
is figured, while the statement is now said to be erroneous. 
In the ‘Edinburgh New Philosopbhical Journal,’ 1828, is a 
paper by Mr. James Mitchell, “ On the Jaculator fish of Java, or 
Chetodon rostratus, Linn.” He gives a very interesting account 
of what he observed in December, 1822, at the house of a Javanese 
chief who lived within a mile of the town of Batavia :— 
** The fish was placed in a small circular pond, from the centre of which 
projected a pole of two feet in height. At the top of this pole were inserted 
small pieces of wood, sharp-pointed, and on each of these were placed 
insects of the beetle tribe. The placing of this pole and insects by the 
slaves had disturbed the tranquillity of the fish,so we had to wait some 
considerable time before they began their operations. But this delay was 
amply recompensed by the amusement they afterwards afforded us. When 
all had been tranquil for a long time, they came out of their holes and 
swam round and round the pond. One of them came to the surface of the 
water, rested there, and after steadily fixing its eyes for some time on an 
insect it discharged from its mouth a small quantity of watery fluid, with 
such force and precision of aim as to force it off the twig into the water, 
and in an instant swallowed it. * * * * I was informed that these 
fishes were originally imported from China, and are now the only specimens 
alive in Java, although about fifty years ago they were in the possession of 
several of the Javanese chiefs.” 
He adds that, from the view he had of them, which was only 
in the water, they appeared about five or six inches in length, 
rather short in the body, with blackish stripes variously inter- 
spersed. This second observer thus confirms Governor Hommel’s 
statement, while he likewise considered the fish to be Chetodon 
rostratus of Linneus. 
I will now pass on to consider when this power of shooting 
