134 THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 



The Frog-fish of the Asiatic islands and the Southern hemi- 

 sphere is not more remarkable for its hideous deformity than for 

 its capacity of. leading a terrestrial life. Not only can it live 

 several days out of the water but it can crawl about the room in 

 which it is confined, a facility which it owes to the great strength 

 and the peculiar position of its pectoral fins, which thus perform 

 the office of feet. The whole aspect of these grotesque-looking 

 creatures, particularly in a walking position, is so much like 

 that of toads or frogs, that a careless observer would at first 

 be at some loss to determine their real nature. 



A no less wonderful pedestrian is the Hassar {Doras costata), 

 a South American fish, that marches over land in search of 

 water, travelling a whole night when the pools dry up in 

 which it commonly resides. It projects itself forwards on its 

 bony pectoral fins, by the elastic spring of the tail, exerted 

 sidewise, and in this manner proceeds nearly as fast as a man 

 will leisurely walk. The strong scuta or bands which envelop 

 its body must greatly facilitate its march, in the manner of 

 the plates under the belly of serpents, which are raised and 

 depressed by a voluntary power, in some measure performing 

 the office of feet. The Indians say justly that these fishes 

 supply themselves with water for their journey. If they find 

 the pools and rivers everywhere dried up, they bury themselves 

 in the mud, and fall into a kind of asphyxia or lethargy, till 

 the rainy season recalls them again to life. 



The hassar is also remarkable for a parental affection, almost 

 unexampled among fishes. Sir Eichard Schomburgk relates that 

 it not only builds a complete nest for its spawn but also watches 

 over it with the utmost vigilance till the young brood comes 

 forth. In April, this marine artist begins to build his little 

 dwelling of vegetable fibres, among the waterplants and rushes, 

 until it resembles a hollow ball, flattened at the top. An 

 aperture corresponding to the size of the mother leads into 

 the interior. The parental affection of the fish is shamefully 

 misused by man for its destruction. A small basket is held 

 before the opening; then the nest is slightly beaten with a 

 stick ; and, furious, with extended fins, whose sharp points are 

 able to inflict a painful wound, the poor hassar darts into the 

 fatal basket. 



The black Goby (Gobius niger) also prepares a nest for its 



