Marvels of the Universe 



?49 



THE GLOBE OR PARROT FISH 



BY FRANK T. BULLEN. 



Among all the multitudinous mysterious denizens of the sea with whose habits we are acquainted, 

 onlv to become more mystified than ever as to the meaning of those habits, none are more curious 

 than the numerous varieties of a fish whose popular name is given above. It is exceedingly widely 

 distributed, being found in both tropical and temperate zones ; but in its greatest profusion frequents 

 tepid waters and the \-icinity of coral reefs. 



Its peculiarities are many, but one of them may be taken first as the most important, viz., that 

 it is both poisonous and innocuous according to its habitat, this fairly well-known fact preventing 

 its ever becoming a food fish. As a general rule, the appearance of a fish will determine its accept- 

 ance as an article of food, 

 some of the sea-creatures 

 being so repellent in their 

 appearance that it needs 

 considerable courage or pres- 

 sure of hunger to attempt 

 eating them. To this rule. 

 however, there are several 

 important exceptions, such 

 as the John Dory and the 

 Flat -head, of Australia. 

 Indeed, it is difficult to 

 assign reasons sometimes 

 for the rejection of fish as 

 food. I once caught some 

 flying gurnard in St. Vin- 

 cent which were almost the 

 most beautiful fish I have 

 ever seen ; but even the 

 negroes refused to eat them, 

 without knowing why. 



Another fairly safe rule 

 which is followed, or used 

 to be, among seamen is that 

 of rejecting as food all very 

 gaudy fish. I need not say 

 in the tropics, because the 

 temperate seas are notable 

 for the sober colouring of 

 their fish. This simple rule 

 is generally observed by 

 nativ-es, from whom, indeed. 



seamen have obtained it, ^^^^^^^^^^ -: .:^-;:v; .•"?;'■ rr-:-'y,ftj^<:jcT;j-',.' 



and it effectually cuts off 

 the Globe Fishes, because 

 they are nearly all of very 

 brilliant hues. How brilliant 



I'holf) hi/'] 



Villi-, 



THE GLOBE FISH. 



The appearance of the distended fish when viewed from the front. The distention of 

 the body causes the protrusion of the four larce teeth, which then somewhat 

 the bealt of a parrot. 



nble 



