42 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



most fantastic appearance, not unlike that of a 

 gayly dressed harlequin. 



" Yes, that is an angel-fish," replied his father, 

 " and the species are well named, I think, for 

 they are the most beautiful of all fishes." 



Long John here stooped down and put his 

 hauds into the water, with fingers spread apart. 

 Three or four little fishes at once swam between 

 his fingers, rubbing their gills against them in 

 the most friendly manner. On the surface 

 floated several gar-fish, their long, delicate noses 

 armed with sharp teeth ; parrot-Ash, with real 

 bills ; cow-fish, with horns ; snappers, porgies, 

 toad-fish, and numerous others, all crowding each 

 other and fighting for the white bits of conch 

 meat tossed in to them by Long John. 



"There's one fish that don't get anything," 

 said Dick, " and see how he acts when the others 

 come near. He looks just as though he was try- 

 ing to hit them with his tail." 



" That's exactly what he is doing," said Long 

 John, " and every time. He doesn't belong here, 

 but he comes in every day. Just hand me that 

 net. and I'll show you what he does." 



