THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 18% 
of them. It has even been known to come on shore, 
and remain several days without any communica- 
tion with the water. On the head of this fish there 
are one or two slender horns, furnished at the tip 
with several processes resembling little worms. The 
use of these organs is very remarkable. The fish is 
not one of swift motion, and therefore cannot take 
its prey by pursuit: instead of this, it usually con- 
ceals itself among the mud at the bottom, or per- 
haps among the stalks of floating weed, while it 
agitates its curious fleshy horns; their resemblance 
to worms and their motion attract other fishes, 
which, coming within reach, are seized by the capa- 
cious mouth of the latent Toad-fish. The lower jaw 
extending beyond the upper, causes the mouth to 
open perpendicularly, and the eyes are so situated 
as to look in the same direction, both of which 
arrangements facilitate the capture of prey by this 
singular mode. It is not improbable that the worm- 
like tentacles attached to the mouth and chin of 
other fishes, as the Cod and Barble, for example, 
answer an end somewhat similar to this. 
In keeping small marine animals for examination, 
we often lose the specimens through the water be- 
coming speedily unfit for supporting animal life; 
a minite Shrimp or two, or a fish of an inch in 
length, if confined in a large basin of water, will 
usually exhaust the oxygen during the night, and 
be dead by the morning. A little living seaweed, 
however, placed with them, will prevent, or, at least, 
delay this, as plants in a living state give out oxygen. 
Every night the pole-star is perceptibly nearer the 
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