THE SCHOOL OF THE SHORE 53 
differ so much in fishes from the same 
reer: 
So it has been suggested that they are 
warning colours, useful in impressing enemies 
with the fact that many of these brilliant 
fishes are unpalatable and best left alone. 
And another view is that coral-reef fishes are 
so safe, with so many holes and corners to 
play hide-and-seek in that they can afford 
to be any colour. On this view, the colours 
are of no more use than the colours of wither- 
ing leaves. 
On the other hand, Mr. W. H. Longley, 
who has walked about on the floor of the coral 
sea and watched the fishes for hours, main- 
tains that many of the most brilliantly col- 
oured are very well camouflaged when they 
are in the particular kind of corner that they 
like best as a home. Some have two kinds of 
coloured pattern, suited for two haunts—a 
sort of Jekyll and Hyde business. Some are 
longitudinally striped or with no pattern 
when on the move and cross-striped when they 
settle down. It looks as if there was a great 
deal of useful camouflaging. 
