FISHES. 219 
often found off the coasts of England. It is the only fish 
that is as yet known to have a prehensile tail. It has 
been found in the Hudson River of this country, about 
five or six inches in length. 
371. The Lophius, or Fishing Frog, Fig. 172, appears 
Fig. 172.—The Lophius, or Fishing Frog. 
on all the European coasts, and also on our own. With 
its pectoral fins it can crawl on land. The voracity of 
this fish is very great, and if caught in a net with other 
fish it will devour some of its fellow-prisoners. Its usual 
mode of capturing its prey is this. Crouching close to 
the bottom, and stirring up the mud and sand, it moves 
about the long filaments; the small fishes, swimming 
about, suppose these filaments to be worms, and as they 
are about to seize them, the Angler, with a quick move- 
ment, takes them into his capacious jaws. 
372. The Sturgeon, Fig. 173 (p. 220), although one 
of the cartilaginous fishes, has externally rows of bony 
plates. It is very common in the northern parts of Ku- 
rope, where there are regular fisheries for its capture. 
Almost every part of it is used—isinglass being obtained 
from its air-bladder, and caviar from the roe, while the 
flesh is consumed both in a fresh and a salted state. It 
is much esteemed as food, eaten fresh, in the Atlantic 
