Chap. X.] THE CHEIRONECTES. 
331 
probably represent the creature to which the informants 
of iElian referred. It is a cheironectes ; one of a group 
in which the bones of the carpus form arms that support 
the pectoral fins, and enable these fishes to walk along 
the moist ground, almost like quadrupeds. 
They belong to the family of Lophiads or " anglers/' 
not unfrequent on the English coast; which conceal 
CHEIRONECTES. 
themselves in the mud, displaying only the erectile 
ray, situated on the head, which bears an excrescence 
on its extremity resembling a worm; by agitating 
which, they attract the smaller fishes, that thus become 
an easy prey. 
On the rocks in Ceylon which are washed by the surf 
