GORGEOUS AND CURIOUS 155 



and may be seen, a lustrous blue, at half tide feeding in 

 favourite localities. The shape of the head and shoulders 

 reveals something of the character of the fish, though the 

 purpose of its resplendent appearance may not be obvious. 

 Both head and jaw^ typify strength and leverage power. 

 The mouth resembles the beak of a turtle or rather that 

 of a balloon fish {Tetraodon). The under jaw protrudes 

 slightly, and is fitted (in the case of the male) with two 

 prominent canine teeth ; the upper jaw has also a pair of 

 projecting teeth of similar character. Each of the jaws 

 consists of two loosely sutured segments, the articulation 

 of the lower being much the freer. The gullet is horny 

 and rasp-like, and in its exterior opening is an auxiliary set 

 of teeth of most remarkable formation. The upper part of 

 this interior set in some respect resembles the under 

 jaws of a land animal, but there are marked distinctions. 

 It consists of two bony structures, slightly curved out- 

 wards, lying parallel to each other and bound together 

 by tough ligaments which not only permit a certain amount 

 of independent lateral movement, but also independent 

 action forwards and backwards. Each of the structures 

 is fitted with a dozen to sixteen closely packed teeth, and 

 at the rear of each is a magazine charged with five or six 

 more, ready to move up and forward into position for active 

 service as those ahead are worn away. The principle 

 of modern magazine rifles is surprisingly exemplified by 

 these reserve teeth. The lower jaw or rather dental plate 

 resembles a flattened palate, the whole surface being 

 studded with teeth, the edges of which overlap. It may be 

 described as a piece of mosaic work in white and ivory. 

 There are between sixty and seventy teeth resembling 

 incisors on the dental plate. The whole seem to be in a 

 state of perennial renewal to compensate for wear and tear. 

 As those of the front row are broken or worn down, the 

 next succeeding row occupies the frontal position. The 

 teeth are deeply set in the bony base of the inverted palate, 

 or rather obtrude but slightly above the surface, their office 

 being to break down and grind to powder flinty food. 



