The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-06
MILES UNDER THE SEA.
Fishes that Carry Lanterns and Ligi
Up the Ocean Depths.

Fishes that Carry Lanterns and Ligh,
Up the Ocean Depths.
Many curious forms Of fishes have
| recently been found in the deep sea.
One fish, drod9ed from 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 re-
allied. 1t is estimated that this fish
has to contend against a pressure
equal 10 2 10 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 pressure. Their bony and muscu-
lar systems are not fully developed; the
bones are permeated with pores and
assures. The calcareous matter is at
minimum, and the bones of the ver-
tebre are jlined together so loosely
that in lifting the larger fishes out of
the water they often fall apart. The
muscles are all thin, and the connect
i've 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
5000 feet the temperature lowers to 40
! Fahr., and about mile from the
surface to the bottom, four or five
miles, the temperature is about the
same the world over-ju5t about freez-
ing. 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 can absorb the faint
rays that reach them. In a zone be-
low 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 lu-
minous quality. Other organs are con-
sdered accessory eyes, SO that the fish
es 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 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 double row of
luminous SpotS.
One Of the most ferocious of these
deep sea forms is the Chanlodus. Its
mouth is fairly overlooking with
teeth that protrude in most forbid
ding manner. The fins are all tipped
,"i.h flaming spots, while along the
4. 81 surface extends row of spots
th.,, appear like 50 many windows in
the fish, through which light is
shining.
The little fishes called Bombay duck,
are luminous over their entire surface,
and when numbers are collected to
gether they present an astonishing
pectacle One Of the most interest
ing of these light givers is the Chias-
modus, fish that attains q length of
only thirteen inches. The top of its
head is the principal light-giving Or
gan, and its fins CLEAN with phospho-
resent light. 1t has jaw so ar
ranged that it can seize fish twice it's
size and easily swallow them. Its
stomach has the elastic quality of
India rubber 1t stretches to enor-
nous proportions, and appears like a
great transparent balloon hanging I'm.
der the fish and containing its prey.
The last expedition sent out by
France brougk, to light some remark
able forms. The dredge off Morocco
brought up from depth of over one
and half miles a fish that appeared to
be all head or mouth. 1t was of a
small size, and the length of the
mouth was about four-lifths 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, SCOOP
ing mud and ooze into its mouth
sitting out the animal parts and re-