Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-05-04
DEEP SCI FISHES.
The Conditions Emder Which 1hey Gro"
and 1Nrice.


The Conditions Under Wh'ch 1"ey "'""
and 7hrice.
Washington Star.l
The structural differences between
the deep-sea fish aud the fish that ire
quent the shores or remain near the
surface are due to their peculiar Phys1-
cal surroundings, the absence OF sum
light, the increased pressure OF water
at such great depths, and the quiet
stiffness of the water. At such depths
the water is not agitated as it is ut the
surface, and this favors the develop
ment of long, delicate tentacles or
feelers. These tentacles help fish in
it's cropping about the dark depths,
searching for food. When the fish are
brought to the surface most of them
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 ra-
Notwithstanding teeth Of some Of the
pedacious fishes.
It must be remembered, though, that
at the depth of 1000 fathoms the press
ure upon fish, or any other body, is
equal to ton to square inch. These
fabby looking fishes that can be tied in
a knot at the surface ct such depths
are firm-bodied and vigorous. When
fish adapted by organization to these
depths are brought to the surface, FREE
quently their bodies are ruptured, their
viscera protrude, their eyes start out,
and they present the appearance of
having suffered q 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. 49,.
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 OWE light-carries a
lantern or torch around with him. They
have organs that emit a phosphorescent
sleam 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 torch-light procession.
Sometimes when brought to the sur
face these spots still glimmer with
light. DR.. 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
the sea.bottom.