Morning journal and courier., 1884-04-04
Miles Under the Sea.
Fishes that Garry Lanterns and Light Up
the Ocean Depths
tba York

Fishes that Garry Lanterns aud LtGh MT p
the Ocean Depths.
[From the New York Sun'l
Many curious forms of fishes have recently
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 surface
the pressure can hardly be realized. 1t is
estimated that this fish has to contend against
a pressure equal to 24 tons to every square
inch of surface A sealed glass tube, inclosed
in perforated copper covering, has at two
miles been reduced to fine powder, while the
metal was twisted out of shape. Yet, the
fishes are so constructed that they Withstand
the pressure 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 vertebrae are joined together
SO loosely that in lifting the large fishes out
of the water they often fall apart The mucles
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 l, 200 feet
below the surface of the sea. At 5000 feet
the temperature lowers to 40 degrees Fair
and from about a mile from tbs surface to
the bottom, four or five miles, the tempera-
ture is about the same the world over just
above freezing. How do the fishes and other
forms that live here see?
Their eyes are modified as well 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 caH alb
sorb the faint rays that reach them. In a
zone below this many forms with small eyes
begin to have curious tentacles, feelers, or
organs of touch.
Many of these deep sea fishes have special
organs upon their sides and heads that are
known to possess a luminous quality. Other
organs are considered accessory eyes, SO that
the fishes have rows of eyes upon their
ventral surfaces looking downward, while
near are luminous spots that provide them
with light.
One of the largest of these deep sea torch
bearers is fish six feet long, with tail DOR
sal 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
luminous spots.
One of the most ferocious of these deep
sea forms is the Chanliodus Its mouth Is
fairly overflowing with teeth that protrude in
a most forbidding manner. The fms are all
tipped with flaming spots, while along the
dorsaI surface extends a row of spots that ap'
pesr like so many windows In tne nsn,
through which light is shining.
The little fishes called Bombay ducks are
luminous over their entire surface, and when
numbers q collected togetherethey present an
astonishing spectacle One OF the most SIN IN
teresting of these light givers is the Chlas
modus, a fish that attains length of only
thirteen inches. The top of its head is the
principal light giving organ, and Its inns eieam
with phosphorsscent light. It IS not alone
remarkable as q light giver. 1t has jaw SO
arranged that it can seize fish twice It's size NJ
and easily deyour them. Its stomach mas the
elastic nower of India rubber. It stretches
to enormous proportions, and appears Like
great transpazant balloon hanging under the
fish and containing its prey.
The last expedition sent out by France
brought to light some remarkable forms.
The dredge off Morocco brought up from
depth of one and half miles a fish that ap-
naared to be all head or mouth. It was of
small size, and the length of the mouth was
about four-fifths of the entire body; SO that,
If the body had been severed behind the
head. il and two or three like it could have
been slowed away in the capacious pouch.
It pr robably moves very slowly, scooping
mud and ooze into it. mouth, sitting out the
animal parts and rejeeting the rest.