The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-01
SOME FINNY TAKERS.
species of Fish That Are Capable of Utter
ing Grunting Sounds.

species of Fish That Are Capable OF Utter
ing Grunting Sounds.
Oftentimes noises that come from
The sea and are seemingly unexplaina-
bic proceed from certain small animals.
That many fishes utter sounds is well
known; as many as sixty different
species of finny vocalists have been
heard from time to time. A number
Of years ago. while on n fishing trip in
the Gulf of Mexico, in the city of Yucca
tan. hauled in small fish known to
science as the H9mulon, and to the
sailers as the grunt, and never was a
fish better named. as no sooner did l
take it in hand than it rolled most
expressive pair of eyes as far as fish could
roll them, and commenced an appeal
that quite astonished me. First the
grunts were low and uttered singlv.
then they grew louder and faster;
finally the fish hurled at me perfect
volley of sounds that / accepted as an
enEeaty for mercy. and hurriedly
tossed him back. Later | caught many
grunts, and they were all.very talka-
tive out of water; but whether these
sounds could be uttered in their native
element it would be difficult to deter
mine.
1 have Heard the Hamulon grunt.
the grouper, as well as number OF
fishes, croak, and the dog-fish bark
(croak). The little sea-horse, hippo
campus, utterS curious sound that IS
caused by the vibrations of certain
small voluntary muscles. DR.. {. Z.
Abbott heard the mud sunfish, Acan-
tharcus promitis, utter deep. grunt-
ing sound, and the gizzard shad makes
an audible. whirring noise. The club
sucker Erimyzon oblongan, utterS 4
single prolonged note, while the cat
fish. Amiurus lynx, produces gentle
humming sound. Abbott believes,
however, that the most musical OF the
fishes is the eel, that utters a single
note frequently repeated, and has a
slightly metallic resonance. The fact
that the organ of hearing in these
musical fishes is very well developed
would seem to point to the belief that
the notes were calls; and as the air
bladder in fish represents to some eX-
tent the lungs of other animals there
is no reason for not thinking that the
| fishes have vocal communication. The
musical notes and noises are produced
in several ways. Some are due to the
action of the pneumatic duct and
swimming bladder, while others are
accidental, or produced Involuntary
by the lips of the pharangeal or in
tcrmaxiliary bones. The notes made
by the carp and tench are due to the
latter, while those of the catfish and
cells are made by forcing air from tho
swimming bladder into the esphagus.
That fishes utter sounds has been
known for many centuries, and some
years ago it was taken advantage of by
Snowman at watering place in
England to deceive the general public.
The owner of the talking fish had a
portable aquarium upon the beach,
and in it several fishes, and when 4
crowd would gather about the tank, he
would announce that the fish would
answer questions. He would then lift
one of the fishes out of the water and
allow the spectators to listen to its
prunt. explaining that ii could not talk
only when under water. The fish was
then returned, and some one would
ask 4 question, upon which fish
would dart to the surface. and n soft,
low voice would be heard answering
the question correctly. But the secret
| of this very remarkable fish was finally
| found out, the trick being carried on
the same plan as the famous chess
| player. A very small man was con.
cealed in the imitation of rockwork OF
the tank, who replied to the questions
through tube that led to the surface,
the opening being concealed in the
rockwork near the fishes. When {
question was asked, the exhibitor
| dropped some food unobserved into
the water, which made the fish dart
upward in a very natural manner, and,
the voice being heard at the same time,
the illusion was complete, and many
ignorant people were deceived.
The drumfsh, Pogonius. is one Of
| the loudest takers in the American
waters. When the nets are hauled in
on the Jersey coast and large number:
of drumfish are caught, their protest:
are often very loud. That these fishes
utter sounds under water there can bC
no doubt. The sailors on vessel:
anchored off shore, have heard the
strange noise arising about them, ant
described it rs booming, while other:
thought it was occasioned by drum:
being beaten on shore. The fish uttel
the sounds, according to some authori
ties, by striking their pharyngeal teeth
together, while other writers think that
they beat their bodies against the side:
of vessels TO rub off certain parasite,
that infest them.
A vessel lying in the China Sea some
wears ago had a most remarkable ex
perience. The sounds that rose about
her greatly alarmed the crew, ans
| ,vnre described by the CAPTAIN rs re-