68 
THE LIVING WORLD. 
upon ants, which it captures by laying its tail upon the bank and tempting 
them to feed upon the slime with which it is covered. 
The curious organization of the eel is exceeded by that of the Blind Fish 
found in many caves in America. These fish, recently recognized as a distinct 
genus, are now classified under 
the term amblyop sides (cave: 
fishes). They are curious in 
two special respects, one being 
in the absence of the organs 
of sight, for which they have 
no use, living, as they do, in 
caves where no rays of sun¬ 
light ever enter. The other 
curious feature is in the loca¬ 
tion of the vent, which is be¬ 
neath the throat instead of 
toward the tail, as in all other 
fishes. They are small in size, 
though well covered with scales, 
and their organization is well 
adapted for a hard and pre¬ 
carious life. The young are 
brought forth in a condition of development fitting them for independent action, 
though scarcely more than a quarter of an inch in length. 
Mud Whipper (Cabitis 
tesnia ). This properly belongs 
to the eel family, though not 
generally classed with eels. It 
is a small species, about one 
foot long, peculiar to the fresh 
waters of Europe and Asia. 
The body is decidedly eel-like, 
though the fins are not con¬ 
fluent. The head also resem¬ 
bles that of an eel, differing 
only in having eight barbels 
depending from the upper and lower lips. The air bladder of this fish is 
enclosed in a bony capsule, which gives it complete protection against rupture, 
a provision not seen in other fishes. 
FLYING FISH. 
The curiosity excited by a consideration of the creatures described in the 
foregoing account must give way to astonishment as we proceed to a description 
of species which may leave their element and soar away from the crest of a 
wave through the air like a bird, dipping its wings in the briny crests and 
rising* again like a wren flitting from bush to bush. 
The Flying Fish proper form a sub-family, because many species are so 
nearly allied as to be admitted to the general family, though not able to fly. 
Those which possess this remarkable power are organized specially, and exhibit 
BLIND fish ( Cyprinodons ). 
