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Marvels of the Universe 



C O F F E R - F I S H E S 



BY \V. P. PYCRAFT, F.Z.S. 



The Coffer-fishes are among the most remarkable of the fish tribe, and this, not only on account of 

 their many structural peculiarities, but also on account of their singularly brilliant — one might almost 

 say garish — coloiation. But vivid as this coloration appears to be when seen in a museum or 

 freshly taken from the water, it is bj- no means so conspicuous when seen in its natural surround- 

 ings. For the Coffer-fishes live amid a perfect riot of colour, and they have to " live up to it" ; 

 thereby they secure a measure of protection from their enemies, since they harmonize so completelj' 

 with their general surroundings that movement alone betrays them ! 



liiy ir. ,'^avi//e Kent. 

 COFFER-FISH. 

 The CofTe.-r.shec a:e among the most brilliantly-coloured fishes known. Living in the immediate vicinity of the coral 

 leef. this striking coloration harmonizes with the colours of the coral animals and maUes the fishes inconspicuous. 



The " Aracanas," which form the subject of our coloured plate, will give a good idea of how 

 extraordinary this coloration may be But to appreciate this fully one would have to travel to 

 the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, where, in some deep pool on the fringe of the reef they would 

 be found feeding upon the coral polyps and shell-fish, biting off lumps of coral and crushing shells 

 with their parrot-like beaks. These pol3'ps, the shell-fish, star-fish, sea-cucumbers and sea-worms, 

 on every hand, are arrayed in colours of indescribable vividness ; as if each were trying to outdo 

 the other. And, indeed, this is actually the case, for a dull-coloured animal would be conspicuous 

 in such a brilliant gathering, and so would speedily fall a victim to the wolves of the sea ! 



The Aracanas wear, under this vestment of colour, a bony armour, leaving only the fins and tail 

 free. Hence swimming has to be performed by the rapid vibrations of the dorsal fin and that 

 immediately under it on the under side of the body. The tail is used for steering and the breast 

 fins as fans to draw currents of water through the mouth for breathing purposes, since, owing to 

 the development of the armour, there are no movable gill-plates. 



