186 



LIVING LAMPS. 



the light may rather serve as a defence, some having — 

 as, for instance, in the genus Scopelus — a pair of large 

 ones in the tail, so that " a strong ray of light shot 

 forth from the stern-chaser may dazzle and frighten an 

 enemy." * In other cases they probably serve as lure.s. 

 The " soa-devil," or " angler," of our coasts has on 

 its head three long, very flexible, reddish laments, 

 while all round its head are fringed appendages, closely 

 resembling fronds of seaweed. The fish conceals itself 

 at the bottom , in the sand or among seaweed, and 

 dangles the long filaments in front of its mouth. 

 Other little fishes, taking them for worms, unsuspect- 

 ingly approach, and themselves fall victims. 



Several species of the same family live at great 



Fig. 116. — Ceratlu^ bispinosus (" Challenger Reports," vol. xxvii.). 



depths, and have very similur habits. A mere red 

 filament would, however, be invisible in the dark, and 

 therefore useless. They have, however, developed 

 (B'ig. 115) a lunninous organ, a living " glow-lamp," at 



* Giiutber, " Cliallengei- Eejiorta," vol. xxvii. 



