ANIMALS THAT CHANGE COLOUR 71 
distinguishable in colour from the ormolu 
ornaments to which it clung.” 
Passing to the fish, we find that certain kinds 
have the power to appear in various coloured 
liveries. The tench is an expert in adapting 
itself to its surroundings, for whereas it assumes 
an almost uniform yellowish-green tint when 
dwelling in clear water, yet if that element 
be dark or muddy it becomes almost black 
upon the upper part of its body, and some¬ 
what lighter below. 
Many other of our well-known fish are able 
to change their colour, and in reference to 
this fact Mr. A. H. Cocks, in a letter to the 
Zoologist , writes : “I have not forgotten my 
astonishment . . . when, having temporarily 
placed a mixed lot of fish (roach, dace, gudgeon, 
and probably two or three other species . . .) 
in a white bath, where they were, of course, 
very conspicuous, I found, after a short time 
(perhaps less than an hour, but certainly 
under two) that they had become quite pale 
and inconspicuous.” 
The Japanese fighting-fish will transform 
their normally dull-coloured hues into dazzling 
metallic tints when aroused by anger ; while 
golden and red transverse bands will appear 
upon the bodies of the pretty little paradise 
fish under the influence of sunlight, whereas 
