200 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



inmate the Fierasfer acus, a delicate little fish which lives in its body.* 

 There are many kinds of Mediterranean fish (including the Argyropelecus, 

 or Silver-axe, a beautiful little fish in a separate bottle), but, for economy of 

 spirit and space, only small specimens. Last come the specimens of 

 embryo Dog Sharks, issuing from the egg with their yolk-bags attached ; 

 and there is a bottle with young true Sharks, about a foot long, nearly as 

 useful for scientific purposes as the adult animals of ten feet long." 



The Aquarium in the western corridor, illuminated by Messrs. 

 Siemens with the electric light, will doubtless prove one of the 

 greatest attractions to visitors. The tanks, requiring of necessity 

 to be built very substantially, will remain permanently in position 

 after the Exhibition is closed, and in all probability will form 

 the finest aquarium in the metropolis. Many of the tanks are of 

 considerable size, twenty of them holding 1G00 gallons of water, 

 and four of them 2000 gallons. Fast-swimming fishes will thus 

 have sufficient room to display their powers of speed, while the 

 increased transparency of the water afforded by the electric light 

 will enable visitors to view with great clearness all the graceful 

 movements and delicate colours of the polypes and jelly-fish. 



Besides the numerous examples of living fish in the tanks, 

 there is a very extensive collection of stuffed specimens, many of 

 them extremely well preserved ; and, as the owners in many cases 

 have affixed to the cases particulars of weight and measurement, 

 anglers will have an excellent opportunity of comparing notes 

 and judging of the merits of their own trophies. In the Canadian 

 Section, which contains a large series of stuffed fishes and aquatic 

 birds, will be found an enormous salmon which weighed 79 lbs., 

 exceeding by 9 lbs. the largest ever taken in the Tay. Of the 

 Scotch monster Frank Buckland made a cast, which may be seen 

 in his collection of models and casts at the end of the main 



* The genus Fierasfer is characterised by the entire absence of the 

 ventral fins and by having the vent under the throat. The dorsal fin 

 extends the length of the body, and the tail, with no separate caudal fin, 

 tapers to a point. The species referred to has the singular habit of 

 penetrating into the respiratory cavities of the Holothurians, or Sea- 

 Cucumbers, and also into the bodies of Star-fishes. Prof. Seeley, referring 

 to this habit, says: — "The nature of this strange relationship between 

 animals so unlike in their habits is at present unknown, and though the 

 fish is probably seeking food, the instinct is so remarkable that the history 

 of its development is looked forward to with interest." — Ed. 



