16 



POLYPTEKIM!. 



a year. The annexed sketch was taken by Mr. P. J. Smit to show their various 

 attitudes. 



I may add to Budgett's account that the screw-like action of the pectoral fins is 

 accompanied by more or less rapid forward and backward movements of the base of 

 the fins. When the fish is at rest the dorsal " unlets " are usually folded down upon 

 the back, but when it prepares to move they are slowly raised in succession, generally 



Tig. 5. 



Polyjoterus sem 



, from living specimens. 



from front to back ; they are again lowered in reversed order, viz. beginning with the 

 last. When under water the fish frequently emits large air-bubbles from the gill- 

 openings ; but I have never seen any proceed from the spiracles, although, my attention 

 being specially directed to this point, I have watched the top of the head for hours. 

 In a later communication, Budgett has again dealt with this matter * and stated 

 that he has been able to verify his previous observation. He has seen the spiracles 

 rapidly opened and closed, though not widely, while the fish is eating, and he has 

 a.o-ain seen minute bubbles of air issue from the spiracles, which open widely when the 

 head emerges from the water. I have never seen the fish move the head indepen- 

 dently from the body. In certain lights the pupil of the eye appears orange or 

 fire-colour. The tentacles in which the anterior nostrils terminate are endowed with 

 considerable mobility ; they are usually directed forwards and outwards, but sometimes 

 straight forwards, or even outwards at right angles to the axis of the head. 



* P. Z. S. 1903, i. p. 10. 



