OR, GLIMPSES BENEATH THE WATERS. 



if tlie supply of oxygen be rather inadequate, tliey 

 are observed to put their heads partly above the 

 surface of the water, and obtain an artificial supply 

 in that surreptitious manner. The black Goby, 

 Gobius niger, has also been tried with success ; but 

 his voracious character — devouring without scruple 

 even his own congeners — renders him on the whole 

 not a very desirable tenant ; and yet it is a fine 

 sight to see the little warrior turn black when he 

 seizes his prey, his turquois-coloured eyes dilating 

 with fury. 



Several othqr kinds are mentioned, in a previous 

 page, in the list of animals placed by Mr, Gosse in 

 his first experimental Aquarium. 



The Pogge, Aspidophorus cataphr actus ^ is a 

 singularly formed fish that might be added by way 

 of experiment. The plate-armour in which his 

 body is clothed runs in regular longitudinal lines, 

 showing eight sharp ridges, running from head to 

 tail, that have a singular and unfish-like appearance. 

 In confinement, however, he does not display him- 

 self to advantage, generally lying near the bottom 

 of the Aquarium. 



The beautiful crimson maculations of the Ancient 

 Wrasse, Lahrus maculatm, render him a very de- 

 sirable tenant ; but his size— small specimens being 



97 H 



