354 



The Angler. 



in numerous particulars of form this fish differs much from all 

 others that were known to the ancients, there was, still, con- 

 siderably less of the wildness of imagination applied to it than 

 to a large proportion of the others. The general appearance of 

 this fish, which is represented as at least unsightly, has caused 

 it to be compared to a tadpole, but a tadpole of enormous size ; 

 and when the rough protuberances of its head, and its pro- 

 jecting teeth and ample mouth were taken into the account, its 

 supposed hideous aspect was judged sufficient to entitle it to 

 the designation of sea-devil. Yet, in the form and arrange- 

 ment of these parts, we can discern a noble example of exquisite 

 contrivance. 



The teeth of this fish are set round the mouth like the 

 prongs of a rat-trap ; and are long, strong, pointed, and those 

 of the lower jaw are directed obliquely inward ; so that as this 

 jaw is withdrawn to close with the upper, these teeth may 



The Angler. 



become interlocked together, and thus prevent the escape of 

 the prey ; while the teeth of the tongue and gullet by the action 

 of muscles which act on the latter, prevent such a struggle as 

 might obstruct the process of swallowing. The teeth appear 

 to be in a state of perpetual renewal, and those of the inner 

 row are, for the most part, the largest. They carry with them, 

 in their growth, a covering of the membrane from which they 

 are produced, and from it, perhaps, they derive nourishment 

 long after their protrusion from the gums, and it' may be 

 some amount of sensation. The instinctive force with which 

 the angler retains its prey, when this has come within the 

 grasp of its teeth, may be judged from a fact related by the 

 natural historian Jonston, who tells us that the lish had been 

 left on the beach by the receding tide when a fox ca 

 prowling along in search of provender, and chanced to thrust 



