Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-04-21
DEEP SEA FISHES.
The Conditions Under Which They 6rO,c
and ThrtUe

The Conditions Under Which They GrOu
and Thrive.
GWashington Start
The structural differences between
the deep-sea fish and the fish that fire
quent the shores or remain near the
surface are due to their peculiar physi
cal surroundings, the absence of sun
light. the increased pressure of wate1
at such great depths, and the quie
stiffness of the water. At such depth:
the water is not agitated as it is at the
surface, and this favors the develop
ment of long, delicate tentacles Oh
feelers. These tentacles help fish il
its cropping about the dark depths
searching for food. When the fish are
brought to the surface most of then
appear to be soft, pulpy masses. The
bones and mucles appear to be feebly
developed. The tissues seem thin
weak, and easily ruptured. These con.
ditions. implying muscular weakness,
are apparently inconsistent with the
powerful shape of the jaws and the Ia.
pacious-looking teeth of some of the
pedacious fishes.
1t must be remembered, though, that
at the depth of 1000 fsthoms the press
ure upon q fish, or any other body, is
equal to ton to a square inch. These
fabby looking fishes that can be tied in
knot at the surface at such depths
are firm-bodied and vigorous. When
fish adapted by organization to these
depths are brought to the surface, fire.
quently their bodies are ruptured, their
viscera protrude, their eyes start out,
and they present the appearance of
having suffered a frightful death.
When the fish ascends, and the press
ure upon its body becomes less and
less, the gases in its body begin to ex-
pand, and the expansion causes the de-
moralized appearance of the fish. If
the fish could be popped up out of the
sea in an instant it would probably ex-
plode with bang when it reached the
surface.
To the absence of light is due many
of the most wonderful peculiarities of
the deep-sea fish. Some of them are
totally blind, having no eyes at all or
mere rudimentary eyes. Others have
huge eyes, so organized as to collect as
many light rays as possible. Sunlight,
it is said, does not penetrate to depth
of 200 fathoms. If there is any light
there at all it is the merest glimmer,
and below that depth there is absolute
darkness.
Now, these deep-sea fishes being cut
off altogether from the sunlight, many
of them furnish their own light. They
have no organized gas companies, but
each furnishes his own light-carries a
lantern or torch around with him. They
have organs that emit phosphorescent
CLEAN and shed light on their path.
Some of them carry little torches in the
form of tentacles that rise from the
tops Of their heads. Many of them
have regular, symmetrical rows of
luminous spots along their sides.
The fish go flashing through the
water like a torch-light procession.
Sometimes when brought to the sur
face these spots still glimmer with
light. DIR. Bean thought it possible
that some of these fish were completely
enveloped in light. Nearly all the deep
sea fishes brought up have been found
to be allied to some species of shore or
pelagic fishes. Evidences are now
offered that the halibut is being driven
to the greater depths. In course of
time, if this is true, the halibut, thus
forced into new physical Surroundings,
will develop special organs, and finally
may join the torch-light procession at
l.