IN THE TOADFISH'S SHOE 27 



So it was she that I caught, and not the gallant 

 Mr. Toadfish at all! I am glad of it. I have a deal 

 of sympathy and down-right admiration for Mr. Fish. 

 He behaves most handsomely. 



However, Mrs. Fish is very wise, and could not 

 leave her treasures in better keeping. If ever there 

 was a faithful parent, it is a Father Toadfish. For 

 three weeks he guards the eggs before they hatch 

 out, and then they are only half hatched ; for it has 

 taken the little fish all this time to get out on the 

 top side of the eggs, to which they are still attached 

 by their middles, so that they can move only their 

 heads and tails. 



They continue to wiggle in this fashion for some 

 weeks, until the yolk of the egg is absorbed, and 

 they have grown to be nearly half an inch long. 

 They are then free from. the rock and swim off, look- 

 ing as much like their parents as children can, and 

 every bit as ugly. 



Ugly ? Did I say ugly ? Is a baby ever ugly to its 

 mother? Or a baby toadfish to its father? No. You 

 cannot love a baby and at the same time see it ugly. 

 You cannot love the out of doors with all your mind 

 as well as with all your heart, and ever see it ugly. 



All this time the father has been guarding the 

 little toadfish ; and if, during the whole period, he 

 goes out to get a meal, I have not been able to find 

 when it is, for I always find him at home, minding 

 the babies. 



