Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-07-31

when they find they are unable to reach
the water they burrJw into the soil. re-
naming In this condition for months, or
unul the rain comes. This habit has
+ been made the occasion OF some remark
able surprises. Thus, par;, IF hunters
were camping on the edge of a little de-
preston that was absolutely barren. A
ralnstorm came up suddenly and soon tne
depression became lake. IN an hour the
croak of frogs was deafening and an ex-
animation of the surface showed that the
place was well stocked with f b. The mo-
ment the moisture reached below the sur
face the fish revived and made their way
up through the mud. One of the curators
OF the British museum some years ago re-
celved dry and weli-packed object that
appear to be ball f mud The in
suuctions were 10 place This in dish of
slightly warm water wnicl was done.
Slowly the ball dissolved and as it finally
fell apart a long eel-.ike ti,h rolled out.
gave several gasps and began to splash
about. The ball Of mud mad beeu the
alternating hist of the 6s0, and had been
sent this long distance sareIy N tightly
packed box.
Travellers in South America are some
times RECALLED with wonderful stories about
the overland trips of some fishes, and in
many instances the accounts have been
substantlated, Especially in the cases of the
Doras and Callichthys- cathshes common
in the tropical South American streams
These fishes exist in vast numbers in the
streams and pools, and like the East
Indian allies they start In a body over
land presenting most singular appear
ance, especially to those who have never
seen fish out of water by is own Volt
ton
Another catfish, known as the Tangsa,
IN South American waters, is often seen
on partly submerged logs, apparently
having the habits of the frogs, OF lizard.
In England the familiar little fish known
as the blenny has curious habit Of bask-
ing III the open air at times. This was
first noticed 10y the naturalist named Ross,
who kept several of the fishes IN an auuar-
lum. He had great difficult in MAX
ing them stay in the water At certain
times during the day they would make
desperate and often successful attempts to
get out. Finally, upon the advice of a
friend, he placed a stone il ne tank so
that part of it was exposed and out upon
it climed the b!ennies They seemed to
require air, and from choice spent part of
the time out of water Sing larly enough
this was during the ebb tide the period
when they would naturally be left high
and dry in the pools along shore.
My young readers will wonder how all
the tinny wanderers can brea' he out of the
water. All fishes breathe by taking in
water, which is supplied with air, and ex-
polling it at the gills, their blood-red
organs taking up the oxygen during the
contact; but when fish is out of the
water it would seem necessary to have
some other means of breathing, and this
is the case, They do not carry water or
store it, as some have supposed, but the
cavities which are found in the head of
some are for the reception of air, and re-
semble lungs; so that fishes breathe di.
rectIv at tt is time. Thus the Pheriphtha-
Iums in the water breathes by its gills, out
of the wat 9r by what represents lungs, so
that it is truly more amphlOloas than Il
frog.
Fishes are often carried long distance
without water, and In China tue heartless
fish vendors carry through the streets a
fish, and cut pieces from it, the fish living
until it is well carved up.