Eatable British Fish 



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tory wriggle they manage after they have been disturbed to 

 cover themselves with sand, leaving only a part of the head 

 and eyes exposed. But during the still earlier stages of 

 development these fishes were all of the typical fish-like form, 

 and had an eye on each side of the head. The manner in 

 which these eyes move round, till both lie side by side on 

 the right or left side of the body, as the case may be, is one 

 of the wonders of animal life, for it must be remembered that 

 what most people regard as the back of the sole, or plaice, is 

 really its side. The reason why the two sides are differently 

 coloured is to serve the ends of protection, the exposed upper 

 surface being coloured to resemble the ground on which the 

 fish is resting ; but the white under surface has a purpose 

 too, and also protective ; since, when the fish is swimming, 

 this under surface, being in shadow, is not, from its white 

 colour, so conspicuous as a dark surface would be, so that 

 the attention of enemies from below is not attracted when it 

 becomes necessary to remove to fresh fields and pastures 

 new ! 



The Cod-family, Mackerel, Blennies and Weaver-fish will 

 all be met with. A word as to " Weavers," beware of them, 

 for they can inflict a most painful and poisonous wound. 

 And this they do by means of a spine in the back-fin, or by 

 a similar weapon on either side of the gill-plates. But more 

 of this subject, and of fishes of all kinds, you may learn from 

 a (my) little book, "The Story of Fish-life," published in 

 Newnes " Useful Library Series " at one shilling. 



W. P. Pycraft. 



