FINNY LIGHT-BE ABE RS {SURFACE FORMS). 105 



hauled them aboard ; or, if too heavy, lashed them to the 

 side, in which position they were towed ashore, where the 

 liver, the only valuable portion, was secured ; though the mus- 

 cular tissue was sometimes appropriated by the boys of the 

 neighborhood, who found it a good substitute for India- 

 rubber as an interior for base-balls. 



In a large specimen which I examined, the skin was cov- 

 ered with a remarkable mucilaginous envelope, in which were 

 numerous parasites ; while in the mouth was a large goose- 

 barnacle, which was situated just far enough in to escape 

 being crushed by the formidable teeth. If asked to select a 

 fish showing evidences of possible phosphorescence, I should 

 name the sunfish, as the curious envelope of mucus seems 

 particularly adapted as the seat of this remarkable phenome- 

 non ; but I have not only never observed its luminosity, 

 but have been unable to obtain a direct statement from any 

 one in this country as to its light-emitting quality. I give 

 it a place among the luminous fishes, on the authority of 

 T. Spencer Cobbold, M.D., F.L.S., who says, in referring to 

 it, " It is nearly circular in form ; and the silvery whiteness 

 of the sides, together with their brilliant phosphorescence 

 during the night, has obtained for it, very generally, the 

 appellation of sun or moon fish. 



Karl Semper, in his " Animal Life,'* says : " The fishermen 

 of Nice assert that the moonfish ( Orthagoriscus mola) is 

 luminous ; " but as no scientist, that I am aware of, makes 

 a definite statement of personally observing its light, we 

 will leave the moon or sun fish among the forms which are 

 possibly phosphorescent, yet not proven so. 



Statements are often made regarding the phosphorescence 



