222 THE CHOOSETT OR GUNNER. 



with a pattern as geometrically regular as if drawn by the aid of rule and compass. This fish 

 is found on the coasts of Ceylon. Its color is bright green on the back, gradually changing to 

 golden-yellow towards the abdomen. The checkered marks on the body are purple and gray, 

 and the stripes and spots on the head are rich, glowing orange. In allusion to the wicker like 

 markings and the brilliant colors of the lish, the natives call it by the name of Hembili 

 Girawah ; the former word signifying the little basket in which betel is carried, and the latter 

 a parrot. 



Though edible, this fish is not regularly captured for the markets. It generally frequents 

 the rocky portions of the coast. It never attains any great dimensions, none seeming to meas- 

 ure more than fifteen inches in length. 



The curious fish, Sly Epibulfs, has derived its popular and scientific titles from the 

 crafty manner in which it obtains its food. 



In this fish, the mouth and jaws exhibit a very remarkable modification of structure, 

 which enal >les the creature to protrude its mouth with great rapidity, and to such a degree, 

 that when pushed forward to iis greatest extent it is even longer than the head. Aided by 

 this apparatus, the Sly Epibulus captures its prey as follows: It feeds mostly upon small 

 fishes, and instead of alarming them by charging among their ranks, and so giving itself a 

 tedious and possibly an unsuccessful chase, it quietly withdraws itself to some sheltered spot, 

 and waits, still and motionless as the watchful kingfisher, and no less dangerous to the smaller 

 members of the finny tribe. No sooner does an unwary fish pass near the cunning enemy, 

 deceived by its apparent harmlessness, than the movable mouth is suddenly projected with the 

 rapidity of a serpent's stroke, and the victim is seized and swallowed in a moment. 



The Tile-fish (Lop7iolatilus chamcEleonticeps, Goode and Bean) is a newly-discovered 

 food-fish, the value of which is thought to be very considerable as an addition to our list 

 of food-fishes. It is abundant in deep water off Massachusetts Bay ; it is a fine large fish and 

 highly colored, and belongs to family Latilida. 



From the many species of the genus Labrus, the Ballan Wrasse has been selected. 

 This fish, otherwise known by the popular names of Ancient Wrasse, or Old Wife, is one 

 of those species which is mostly found haunting the rocky portions of the shore. 



It is not in any great estimation as an article of food, the Mesh being too soft, and not 

 possessing any particularly good flavor. It generally frequents the deep rocky gullies, where 

 the water is tolerably tranquil, except when the waves are beaten into foam by a storm. Here 

 it maybe seen swimming about in the (dear element, concealing itself among masses of sea- 

 weed, and ever and anon darting forth to secure some tempting morsel, such as a passing 

 crab or prawn. 



Mr. Couch remarks concerning this species, that "it takes a bait freely, and fishermen 

 remark that when they first fish in a place, they take but few. and those of a large size ; but 

 on trying the same spot a few days after, they catch a greater number, and those smaller; 

 from whence they conclude that the large fish assume the dominion of a district, and keep the 

 younger at a distance." 



'Idie Wrasse deposits its spawn in spring or towards the beginning of summer, and, as is 

 usual with most fishes, assumes its brightest apparel previous to performing that duty. There 

 is much uncertainty about the coloring of the Ballan Wrasse, but in general the color is red 

 above and mi the sides, variegated with oval spots of rich bluish-green; the fins are green, 

 sparely spotted with red. and the abdomen is pale orange. It does not attain to any great 

 size, seldom having been known to exceed sixteen or eighteen inches in length, and two 

 or three pounds in weight. 



Of the family Labridce, the dinners are important as food-fishes. The Ciiogsett or Cfn- 

 n'ei: (Ctenolabrus adxpersa) is, perhaps, the most familiar sea-fish on our New England coast. 

 During the summer months it is the principal source of angling sport. It is a singular fact 



