St. Landry democrat., 1884-06-07
Under the Sea.
A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE IEHAB-
ITANTs OF THE DEEP.

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 distance from the top the pressure
can hardly be realized. 1t is estimated
this fish has to contend against a pres
sure equal to 1-2 tons to every square
inch of surface. A sealed glass tube
inclosed in perforated copper cover
ing, has at two miles been reduced to
fine powder, while the metal was twist
ed out of shape. Yet, the fishes are so
constructed that they withstand the
pressured. Their bony and muscular
systems are not fully developed; the
bones are permeated with pores and
fssures. The calcareOus matter is at a
minimum, and the bones OF the verte-
bre and Joined together so loosely that
in lifting the larger fishes out OF the
water they fall apart. The muscles are
seems almost wanting. Yet, these fishes
are able to dart about and prey.
Sunlight penetrates only about 1900
feet below the surface of the sea. At
5000 feet the temperature lowers to 40
degrees Fabt., and from a mile from
the surface to the bottom, four or five
miles, the temperature is about the
same the world Over-just about freez-
ing. How do fishes and other forms
that live here see
Their eyes are modified as we'll as
their other parts. The fishes that live
500 feet from the surface have larger
ewes tnan those in the zone above them,
so that they can absorb the faint rays
that reach them. In zone below this
many forms with small eyes begin to
have curious tenacles, feelers, or or
gans of touch.
Many of these deep sea fishes have
special organs upon their sides and
heads that are known to possess lu-
minous quality. Other organs are con-
sidered accessory eyes, SO that the fishes
have rows of eyes upon their ventral
looking downward, while near
are luminous spots that provide
them with light.
Que of the largest of these deep sea
torch bearers is 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
broad patch upon its head. Along the
sides of the body are double row OF
luminous spots.
One of the most ferocious of these
deep sea forms is the Chanli0dus. Its
mouth is fairly 0vefaowing with teeth
The fms are all tipped with
damings, while along the dorsal sur
face extends a row of spots that appear
like so many windows in the fish, |
through which light is shining.
The little fishes CALLED Bombay ducks |
are luminous over the entire surface, |
and when, numbers are collected to- |
gether they present an astonishing |
spectacle. One of the most interesting |
Of these light givers is the ChiasmOdus,
fish that attains length of only thir-
teen inches. The top of its head is the
principal light-giving organ, and its
fms gleam with phosphOrescent light. t
1t is not alone remarkable as light
giver. It has a jaw so that it can seize
fish twice its size and easily swallow |
them. Its stomach has the elastic quail
ity of India rubber. 1t stretches to
enormous propertisns, and appears like
a great transparent balloon hanging |
under the fish and containing the prey.
The last expedition sent out by |
France brought to light some remark |
able forms. The dredge off Morocco |
brought up from depth of over one
half mile fish that appeared to be all
head or mouth. It 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 behind
the head, it and two Or three like it |
could have been slowed away in the
capacious pouch. 1t probably moves |
very slowly, scooping mud and ooze
into its mouth, sitting out the animal
parts and rejecting the rest.