The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-07 00:00:00

PEDESTRIAN mu.

The Frog-fish of the Asiatic islands and the Southern
hemisphere is not more remarkable for its hideous defor-
mity than for its capacity of leading a terrestrial life. Not
only can it live several days out of the water, but it can
crawl about the room in which it is confined, a facility
which it owes to the great strength and the peculiar posi-
tion of its pectoral fins, which thus perform the office of
feet. The whole aspect of these grotesque-looking crea-
tures, particularly in a walking position, is so much like
that of toads or frogs, that a careless observe would at first
be at some loss to determine their real nature. _

A no less wonderful pedestrian is the Hassar (Boras
eostato), a South American fish, that marches over land in
search of water, travelling a whole night when the pools
dry up in which it commonly resides. It projects itself
forwards on its bony pectoral fins, by the elastic spring of
the tail, exerted sidewise, and in this manner proceeds
nearly as fast as a man will leisurely walk. The strong
scuta or bands which envelope its body must greatly faci-
litate its march, in the manner of the plates under the belly
of serpents, which are raised and depressed by a voluntary
power, in some measure performing the office of feet. The
Indians say justly that these fishes supply themselves with
water for their journey. If they find the pools and rivers
everywhere dried up, they bury themselves in the mud,
and fall into a kind of asphyxia or lethargy, till the rainy
season recalls them again to life.
The Hassar is also remarkable for a parental affection,
Richard Schotn-
almost unexampled among fishes.
burgk relates that it not only builds completeaSir
he utrnost vigilance
spawn, but also watches over it with nest for its
till the young brood comes forthilinlnntypergiletthaihsle
artist begins to build his little dwelling rafiabrirense,
ntil it resembles a
among the waterplants and rushes,
hollow aperture correspond-
hollow ball, flattened at the top.
held
the
m interior.
eu aed h
mT
ahne
ing to the size of the mothr. ieandastnienfuito
parental affection of the fish is s . .
open-
for its destruction.
is slight] small basket is held before theing ; then the nest n!
wound, fislightlhynabeeastheanrpwinthintaa
asrtieck
ableen
tdo,
furious, with extended 118, w
the poor Hassar daprts into the fatal
inflict a painful
basket.
The work is embellished with twelve chroinn.ytu.
graphic plates, by H. N. liumrkrcYs, which are
...coated ; and, to assist the
remarkably. vg
Avnuer, a minute explanation of the engravings is
annexed ; the various subjects are also illustrated
with numerous woodcuts; and, whether as a book
of reference to the studious, or as an ornament for
the
drawing-room table, this volume alike deserves
the attention of the public.

Cornitill Magazine.
Frawley Parsonage" promises to be one of
Anthony Trollopye s best achievements. The pre-
sent instalment is full of interest both as regards
the love affairs of Lord Lufton and Lucy Roberts
and the pecuniary difficulties of Mr. Sowerby and
Mark. The interview between Mr. Sowerby and
young Robarts, in which the former betrays un-
wonted weakness, and hesitates to lay hands on the
young man's little fortune, is capitally described.
Sowerby wonders at himself, it is " so contrary to the
practice of all his life, that it is as difficult to him
as it is for a sportsman to let pass a cock pheasant."
The sketch of "Tom Tozer," the bill-di6counter, is
excellent—" the expression of his face was eloquent.
with acknowledged roguery. 'I am a rogue,' it
seemed to say. ' I know it ; all the world knows
it : but you're another. All the world dont't
know that, but I do. Then are all rogues prut
te y
nigh. Some are soft rogues and some are cwas
ones. lam a 'cute one; so mind your eye l'