52 MARINE AND FRESHWATER FISHES 



grapnel wherewith the animal, naturally a weak, clumsy 

 swimmer, can, as it were, lay to in a storm, or ride securely 

 anchored within the swirl of the strongest current. The 

 young of the Lump-fish or Sea-Hen, which may be appro- 

 priately named Sea-Chickens, are, in the living state, even 

 more remarkable in appearance than the adults, they being 

 much more transparent and of a bright sea-green hue, as 

 though modelled in green glass or beryl. In marine 

 aquaria, where they are usually exhibited during the 

 spring months of the year, they form most attractive 

 objects, swimming fearlessly in the water, or coming to 



A 



fig. 12. — LUMP-FISH [Cycloptents lumpus). 



anchor on the glass-work of their tank, and manifesting 

 apparently a strong predilection for a game of hide-and- 

 seek with the visitors from behind the supporting mullions. 

 In this position one or more specimens are usually to be 

 detected, through the sudden apparition of a comical green 

 head with goggle eyes, or the momentary flourish of a 

 little stumpy tail. In another minute, perhaps, one little 

 fellow, finding himself an object of admiration, takes 

 "heart of grace," shuffles forward for a few inches along 

 the glass, still adhering by his sucker, and thus permits an 

 unobstructed view of his entire organisation. These Lump- 



