196 Fish Stories 



where, and the only possible way of catching one would be 

 through a tow-net dragged deep in the water. 



There are many species of these fishes found in all seas. 

 They are all small, most of them under three inches. They 

 feed on little animals, crustaceans mostly, floating in the 

 sea. They are all jet-black, for the depths of the sea are 

 colored like ink. Their large scales have a silvery luster, 

 or rather the luster of steel, and on their head and body are 

 rows of round shining spots or lanterns, with which they 

 lighten up the depths about them. Some have the whole 

 nose luminous, like the headlight of an engine, but the com- 

 monest California species lacks this advantage. 



Numerous species are found in the depths off California, 

 and have been brought up by the " Albatross." A few were 

 taken by Dr. Eigenmann off the coast of San Diego. The 

 first specimen of this species was found by the present 

 writer in 1880 in the stomach of an albacore at Santa Bar- 

 bara. Since then, a few others have been found. These 

 little fishes are always valued by collectors, because they 

 are rare, and not often well preserved, on account of their 

 fragility of body. Fishes of the deep seas are always weak, 

 because they are held together by the great pressure of the 

 waters. When raised above their depths, their flesh is 

 easily torn, and their scales are likely to fall off. 



The storm-fishes are related to the salmon and trout, 

 remotely, it is true, but the likeness is shown in the presence 

 of the adipose fin, and in the general arrangement of the 

 bones and fins. 



Sailing about slowly in the open sea, now here, now there, 

 on one coast to-day, on another next month, are the few 

 schools of the fish called opah. Shaped like the full moon, 

 with high fins and short tail, its naked skin a rich brocade 

 of violet and crimson, with spots of gold, the moonfish is 

 one which catches the eye of all who happen to see it. It 

 is one of the largest of true fishes, reaching a weight of four 

 hundred pounds, and its tender pink flesh,, filled with deli- 



