September I, 1891] 



THE HUMMING BIRD. 



69 



FISH GALLERY. 



The Fish Gallery, which is nearest to the Central 

 Hall, contains stuffed examples and skeletons of all 

 the most remarkable members of the Class. 



Cases (1 — 5), Percidae, or Perch family, of which 

 the common Freshwater Perch is the best known 

 example. In Case 5 are the Mullidae or Red Mullets. 

 The European Mullet (Mullus barbatus) was prized 

 by the ancient Romans above any other fish. 

 Case 6 contains the Sparidae or Sea Breams. 

 In Case 7 are the Squamipinnes or Coral Fishes, 

 inhabitants of the tropical seas and abounding chiefly 

 in the neighbourhood of coral reefs. 



In Case 11 are the remarkable Sucking Fishes 

 Echeneis which have the spinous dorsal fin modified 

 into an adhesive disk, which occupies the upper side 

 of the head and neck. By means of this disk, these 

 fishes- are enabled to attach themselves to any flat 

 surface. When at sea we used to fish sharks and I 

 never saw one taken without several of these fishes 

 attached to its body, as also the Pilot-fish ( Naucrates 

 ductor) always seen a few yards from the Shark. This 

 last fish is exhibited in Case 12. In Case 13 are 

 exhibited various species of Sword-fishes. A piece of 

 a two-inch plank of a whale boat pierced by a Sword- 

 fish, in which the broken sword still remains, can be 

 seen in the same Case ; also a good series of Fishing- 

 frogs (Lophius) also called Anglers or Sea-Devils. 



Case 14 contains the well-known Stickleback and 

 its curious Nest. It is an inhabitant of the British 

 Isles. In Case 18 are exhibited two very curious 

 species ; the Electric Cat-Fish ( Malapterurus) from 

 tropical Africa, and the Callichtys from British 

 Guiana. 



Case 20 contains the Scombresocidœ, chiefly marine. 

 The most curious members of this family are the 

 Flying-Fishes ( Exocetus ), inhabitants of the tropical 

 and sub-tropical seas, where they are constantly seen 

 in large numbers flying over the water. It is one of 

 the most extraordinary sights to be seen. Sometimes 

 they fall on, board of vessels, in which case they 

 are immediately secured, cooked and served on the 

 table at meal's time. 



In separate table-cases are exhibited several speci- 

 mens of the rare Arapaima gigas from Brazil and 

 Guiana, highly esteemed as an article of food. It is 

 the largest freshwater Teleostean known, exceeding a 

 length of 15 feet and a weight of 400 lb. 



In Case 22 are specimens of Gymnotus electricus, 

 the electric Eel of South America. The electric 

 shock may be of sufficient strength to temporarily 

 paralyse a man. I have been told that the Indians 

 of Guiana have a very curious way of catching these 

 fishes. They drive a horse in the river where electric 

 Eels are found, and after the discharge of several 

 electric shocks on the horse they easily secure them. 



The Eels, Murœnidœ, are exhibited in Cases 23 and 

 24. Murœna Helena, a Mediterranean species, is the 

 type or the Genus. It attains the length of five feet 

 and upwards, and its smooth skin is beautifully 

 irarbled with yellow subangular markings on a rich 

 brown ground. It was highly prized by the ancient 

 Romans, who had special ponds (vivaria) built for 

 the fattening of these fishes. They were in the habit 



of introducing them, in crystal vases, ori the table, be- 

 fore being cooked, that the guests might admire their 

 variegated skin. 



Vaedius Pollio of Rome, caused his offending 

 slaves to be flung alive in the pond to feed his 

 Marsense. 



Other fishes worthy of mention are the Globe 

 Fish, Diodon maculatus, in Case 25 ; the Sun fishes, 

 Orthagoriscus mola and truncatus, in a separate case ; 

 the Polypterus from tropical Africa ; also Protopterus 

 annecteus, common in tropical Africa ; and the most 

 extraordinary Barramanda ( Ceratodus) from Queens- 

 land, known by the name of Burnett or Dawson 

 Salmon. Protopterus lives in shallow waters, which 

 periodically dry up. During the dry season they form 

 a cavity in the mud, the inside of which is lined with 

 a capsule of mucus, and from which they emerge 

 again when the rains refill the pools inhabited by 

 them. The balls of clay containing the fishes in a 

 torpid condition are brought to Europe, where they 

 can be bought at a reasonable price. Put in a basin 

 with lukewarm water, the fish emerge from the ball 

 after a little time, and can be transferred in a proper 

 aquarium. 



The series of Sharks and Rays is also very good, 

 and with that of the Lampreys and the Lancelet 

 (Branchiostoma or Amphioxus) completes the col- 

 lection of Fishes exhibited to the Public. It is a very 

 interesting and valuable collection. Unfortunately, 

 I cannot say the same of the collections exhibited in 

 the Insect Gallery, which is close to it. It is true 

 that fears have been entertained that exposure to the 

 light would deteriorate the colours of many of the 

 species ; but this is a very poor reason ; as I know by 

 experience that if they are properly exhibited, they 

 will not deteriorate quicker than those of Birds, Corals 

 Crustacea, etc., etc., and I call the attention of the 

 Authorities of the British Museum to that part of the 

 Museum which is quite inadequate. 



To be continued. 



Recommendations for the Prevention of 

 Damage by some Common Insect of 

 the Farm, the Orchard, and the Garden. 



By James' Fletcher, 



Entomologist a?id Botanist to Dominion Experimental 

 Farms, Ottawa, Canada. 



The frequent enquiries for information concerning 

 even the commonest and most injurious enemies of 

 cultivated crops and fruits render it advisable to issue, 

 in concise form for reference, an account of some of 

 the more important of these, together with approved 

 remedies and convenient methods of applying the 

 latter. The insects treated of are those which have 



