THE SPOTTED SCORPION-FISH. 
231 
OTHER SCALE-FINNED FISHES. 
Of another group or sub-family of the scale-finned, fishes the Archer Fisii is a good 
example. It is depicted on the accompanying full-page illustration. 
This curious species is a native of the East Indian and Polynesian seas, and possesses the 
power of shooting water at its prey with even more force than the beaked chsetodon. So 
powerful, indeed, is the projectile force, and so marvellously accurate is the aim, that it will 
strike a fly with certainty at a distance of three or even four feet. In general appearance, 
there is little to attract attention about this fish, the only remarkable point in its form being 
the greatly elongated lower jaw, which may possibly aid it in directing the liquid missile, on 
which it partially depends for its subsistence as does a hunter on the accuracy of his rifle. 
The general color of the Archer Fish is greenish, and the short, wide bands across the back 
are dark brown with a shade of green. Two species of this genus are known. 
As an example of the next family, the Cirrhitidse, we take the Banded Chilodactyle. 
The family to which this fish belongs is a very small one, containing only eight genera, none 
of which comprise many species. Altogether, this family is not larger than many single 
genera. The members of which it is composed are all exotic species, inhabiting the ‘ £ seas of 
the tropical regions and the southern temperate parts of the Pacific.” 
Perplexing as is the task of ascertaining the habitation of migrating birds, the difficulty 
of fixing the range of fishes is far less easy to overcome, as the transition from the tropical to 
the temperate, and from them to the colder seas, is so extremely gentle, that a fish of errant 
disposition, or one that has been caught in a long-lasting storm might be, and has been often, 
driven into strange waters which it does not know, and from which it can find no retreat. 
The large and important family of the Triglidse, or Gurnards, is represented by several 
European fishes. This family contains a great number of species, many of which are most 
remarkable, not only for their beautiful colors, which alone are sufficient to attract attention, 
but also for the strange and wild shape, and large development of the fins. They are carniv- 
orous fish, mostly inhabiting the seas, a very few species being able to exist in fresh water. 
They are not swift or strong swimmers, and therefore remain, for the most part, in deep water. 
Some, however, are able, by means of their largely developed pectoral fins, to raise themselves 
into the air, and for a brief space to sustain themselves in the thinner element. The mouth is 
mostly large ; and in some cases the gape is so wide, and the head and jaws so strangely 
shaped, that the general aspect is most repulsive. 
On account of its fiery color and ungainly aspect, the Bed Scorpion-fisii has long been 
supposed to possess qualities as dangerous as its appearance is repulsive, and has been termed 
the Sea Scorpion and Sea Devil, from the supposed venom of its spines and fro ward ness 
of its temper. It is, however, a harmless fish enough, not capable of inflicting such severe 
injuries as several species that have already been described. When captured, it certainly 
plunges and struggles violently, in its endeavors to escape, and if handled incautiously it will 
probably inflict some painful injuries with its bony spears. This result, however, is attribu- 
table to the carelessness of the captor and to the natural desire for liberty, and not to any 
malevolent propensities innate in its being. 
Another species, the Spotted Scorpion-fish ( Scorposna porous ), represented in the 
fine engraving on next page, has similar habits. Both these fish are extremely voracious, 
as may be inferred from their wide mouth and general aspect, feeding on the smaller 
fish and similar creatures. They have a habit of lying in ambush, under overhanging tufts 
of sea-weed, and thence issuing in chase of any unfortunate little fish that may happen 
to pass near the fatal spot. All the fish of this genus are remarkable for their large head, 
with its armature of spines and odd skinny flaps, and the curious naked groove that runs 
along its summit. The pectoral fins are always large and rounded, and the body is mostly 
decorated with sundry skinny appendages. Examples of this genus are found in all the 
