640 



The Living Animals of the World 



Fholobjj ir. SavMe-KenI, F.Z.S.] 



SEA-HOESES. 



[MU/ord-Oii-Sea. 



The species on the right is rer.iarkable fof the development of long 

 leaf-like processes all over the body, causing the fish to bear a very close 

 resemblance to the seaweed amongst which it dwells. 



As a rule file-fishes are of small size, but 

 some attain a length of 2 feet, and many are 

 beautiful}}' and symmetrically marked. 



The Coffer-fishes derive their name from 

 the box-like cuirass in which they are invested. 

 This is formed by numerous closely fitting, 

 hexagonal bony jjlates, forming a mosaic, and 

 leaving only the fins and hind part of the 

 tail free. This bony case varies greatly in 

 form, in some species being three-ridged, in 

 others four- or even five-ridged ; while in some 

 long horns are developed, making the defensive 

 armature still more complex. More than 

 twenty species are known, all confined to 

 tropical and sub-tropical seas. 



The Globe-fishes and Sun-fishes con- 

 stitute the last family of this really extra- 

 ordinary assemblage. The covering of the 

 body consists either of minute scales or large 

 spines, which can frequently be raised or depressed at will. All the members inhabit tropical 

 or sub-troj^ical seas, and a few occur in the fresh-waters of the same regions. 



The Globe-fishes have short, tliiek bodies, covered either with small spines, as in the 

 Toad-fish, or very large ones, as in the Porcupine-fish, or Sea-hedgehog. They are remarkable 

 for their habit of filling the gullet with air, and then distending the body to an enormous 

 size. This device enables the fish to escape its enemies ; for when so inflated it rises to the 

 surface and floats belly-upwards, and, the inflated portion projecting above the water, the fish 

 is blown along by the wind to more secure regions. The more heavily armed species 

 become still more formidable when inflated, as the spines are then fully erected. Escaping 

 from enemies below by flight, they are thus secure from enemies above by reason of their 

 armature. Globe-fishes have been found floating alive and unliurt within the stomachs of 

 sharks which had swallowed them, and one has even been known to eat its way out through 

 its captor's side, and so killing its would-be devourer ! When a glolie-fish desires to return 

 to its normal elongated shape, it expels the air from the gullet through the mouth and 

 gills, the expulsion causing a curious hissing 

 sound. 



Extremely unlike the foregoing members * 



of the group of comb-gilled fishes, the SuN-FiSH 

 is nevertheless quite as remarkable in form, 

 looking as if it had undergone the amputation 

 of its hind parts. The singular shai)e of the 

 other members of the comb- and tuft-gilled 

 fishes are undoubtedly adaptations to avoid 

 enemies, either by rendering the animal 

 inconspicuous, or hurtful by reason of its 

 powerful armature. The form of the sun- 

 fish appears to be an adaptation for the 

 capture of food, as this fish preys largely 

 upon the fry of other fishes which inhabit 

 enormous depths, and consequently can only 

 be obtained by diving. Sun-fishes inhabit 

 the surface-waters, but as divers have few 

 equals. 



Fliotu til/ )r. HavUlc-Keal, F.Z.S.] 



IMilj'ord-oii'Sea. 



SEA-IIOHSES. 



Attaching 



themselves to marine plants by twisting their tails around 

 them. 



