Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-12
MILES UNDER THE SEA.
Fishes That Garry Lanterns and Light
Up the Ocean Depths.

Fishes That Garry Lanterns and Light
Up the Ocean Depths.
Many curious forms of fishes have re-
Gently been found in the deep sea. One
fish, dredged from a depth of nearly three
miles from the surface, shows a complete
modification of structure. At this dis
lance from the surface the pressure can
hardly be realized. 1t is estimated that
this fish has to contend againsta pressure
equal to two and a half tons to every
square inch of surface. A sealed glass
tube, inclOsed in a perforated copper COW
ering, has at two miles been reduced to
fine powder, while the metal was twisted
out of shape. Yet the fishes are so con-
structed that they withstand the pres
sure. Their bOny and muscular systems
are not fully developed; the bones are per-
meated with pores and assures. The cal
careOus matter is at a minimum, and the
bones of the verter9 are joined together
so loosely that in lifting the larger fishes
out of the water they often fall apart. The
muscles are all thin, and the connective
tissue seems almost wanting. Yet these
fishes are able to dart about and capture
prey.
Sunlight penetrates only about 1900
feet below the surface of the sea. At {. 900
feet the temperature lowers to 40 degrees
Fahr., and from about a mile from
the surface to the bottom, four or five
miles, the temperature is about the same
the world over-iust above freezing. How
do the fishes and other forms that live here
seei Their eyes are modified as we'll as
their other parts. The fishes that live
500 feet from the surface have larger eyes
than those in the zone above them, So that
they can absorb the faint rays that reach
them. In a zone below this many forms
with small eyes begin to have curious ten
tacles, feelers or organs of touch.
Many of these deep sea fish haye special
organs upon their sides and heads that
are known to possess luminous quality.
Other organs are considered accessory
eyes, so that the fishes have rows of eyes
upon their Ventral surfaces looking down.
ward, while near are luminous spots that
provide them with light. One of the
largest of these deep sea tOrch-bearers is
a fish six feet long, with tall dorsal fin
extending nearly the entire length of the
body. The tips of this fin are luminous,
and also a broad patch upon its head.
Along the sides of the body are a double
row of luminous spots. One of the most
fer0cious of these deep sea forms is the
ChanliOdus. Its mouth is fairly overflow
ing with teeth that protrude in a most for
bidding manner. The fins are all tipped
with flaming spots, while along the dorsal
surface extends a row of spots that APP
pear like so many shining windows in the
| fish, through which light is shining.
The little fishes called Bombay ducks
are luminous over their entire surface,
and when numbers are collected together
they present an astonishing spectacle.
One of the most interesting of these light
| giyers is the Chiasmodus, a fish that at
tains the length of only thirteen inches.
The top of its head is the principal light
giving organ, and its fins CLEAN with
| phosphorescent light. 1t is not alone re-
markable as a light-giver. 1t has jaw
4 so arranged that it can seize fish twice its
size and easily swallow them. Its
stomach has the elastic quality OF india
| rubber. 1t stretches to enormous proper
tions, and appears like a great transpar-
ent balloon hanging under the fish and con-
| tanning its prey.
The last expedition sent out by France
brought to light some remarkable forms.
| The dredge off Morocco brought up from
| a depth of one and half mile@a fish that
/ appeared to be all head or mouth. 1t was
of small size, and the length of the mouth
was about fOur-ffths of the entire body;
so that, if the body had been severed be-
| hind the head, it and two or three like it
| could have been slowed away in its capa-
cious pouch. 1t probably moves very
| slowly, scoOping mud and ooze into its
mouth, sitting out the animal parts and re-
| jecting the rest.