290 THE SEA-HORSE. 



Tliis odd looking fish can easily be captured. The creature is genei-ally swimming, or 

 rather Hoating, in so lazy a fashion, that it permits itself to be taken without attempting to 

 escape. In the seas where this fish is generally found, the harpoon is usually employed for 

 its capture, not so much on account of its strength, though a large specimen will sometimes 

 struggle with amazing force and fury, but on account of its great weight, which renders its 

 conveyance into a boat a matter of some little diflBculty. 



The Mola, or Sun-fish {Mola rotintda). Head-fish, so called, as it seems all head. Mola is 

 Latin for mill-stone, and the fish is not unlike a mill-stone in appearance. Tliis is a jjelagic, 

 oceanic fish, often seen during summer ofl: our shores. DeKay calls it Short Head -fish. It was 

 known to naturalists of Europe. Its weight reaches five hundred pounds. Its side view 

 presents what would be called a tolerable outline for the head and part of shoulders of a large 

 shark, the posterior part ajiijearing to have been cut perpendicularly through. A thin, narrow 

 fin borders this part, representing a tail, but seemingly of no possible use on such a great, 

 unwieldy creature. Its two great dorsal and ventral fins probably serve it ; but cui-iously, this 

 fish is, as far as we know, never seen swimming iipright. It is usually seen lying on its side 

 on the surface of the ocean. When closely approached, it awkwardly sinks out of sight. 

 Kev. Mr. Wood states that the flesh is in good repute among sailors. It certainly is not on 

 this side the Atlantic, as it is like gristle. Boys use it for balls, and it proves to be quite 

 elastic. A large example, captured in Florida and exhibited in New York Aquarium, meas- 

 ured five feet in length. 



CREST-GILLED FISHES; LOPHOBRANCHII. 



In the sti'ange-looldng fishes, Pegasiis and Sea-Dragon, we have further instances of the 

 inexhaustible variations of form and structure with which this world teems, and which seem 

 to be more plentiful, more bizarre, and more incomprehensible in the ocean than on the earth, 

 in the air, or even in the rivers and other fresh waters of the globe. 



The order to which these creatures belong is known under the name of Lophobranchii, or 

 Crest-gilled fishes ; so called on account of the form of the gills, which are composed of little 

 round tufts, and nearly hidden by the gill-cover. Tliere is but little flesh upon the bodies of 

 these remarlcable fishes, which are protected by a hard, bony armor, which, when examined, 

 is found to be most beautifully constructed, so as to protect the animal and to allow of annual 

 increase of dimensions. 



In the family to which belongs the Sea-Dragon, the breast is developed in a wonderful 

 mannex', being always broader than deep, and in some cases the breadth very much exceeding 

 the depth. The mouth is set under the projecting snoTit in a manner like that of the sturgeon, 

 and the pectoral fins are extremely lai'ge and strong, reminding the observer of the same 

 members in the fljang gurnards. This seems to be a rather variable species both in form and 

 color. 



The Pegasus does not possess pectoral fins of such great size as the preceding species, 

 but is yet a very remarkable fish. It is rather long-bodied, and the tail is composed of twelve 

 rings. The much elongated snout is flat and thin, and is furnished on its upper edge with 

 short spines directed backwards. Its color is yellowish-brown. The Pegasus is a Javanese 

 creature. 



The family of the Syngnathidae is represented by several species, two of which are 

 seen in the accompanying illustration. 



The Sea-Hokse is common in many European seas. In all these fishes there is only one 



