The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-10
A RAT FISH.
Ono Of tho Queer Denixens Of the PAci1
Ocean.

One Of tho Queer Denixens Of the PAciA
Ocean.
The other day boat came in out Of
the morning mist after night with
the drift nets far ont in the broad bay
and landed on the rude wharf at Capt.
tola with its glittering load of salmon.
thing that puzzled even the old resi-
dents by the shore. Some of them
called it a squirrel fish," and others
said that it was rat fish. The seiners
recalled that once or twice before they
had seen something like it, but admit
ted that it was rarity.
The thing had tail like goose
feather. a soft, pulpy nose, a horn IN
its forehead with spiked point and a
socket into which to drop it when not
in use; a pair of organs, half hands,
half feet, below its ventral fms. and a
mouth like sharks. with close-ftting
teeth of serrated cartilage. 1t was
close to two feet long and its ugly body
shone when fresh from the water with
hues ranging from pearly white to a
deep lustrous green, while its great.
staring eyes seemed like two perfect
emeralds
Old John Martin, who has lived at
Capitola years without number. and
who wanted to know more ABOUT the
so-called rat fish, promptly secured the
prize and sent it to the academy of
sciences in this city for preservation
and Identification.
A reporter saw the Capitola curio
1t,oc ,>ialylo1 Ion
or two of alcohol, and on the outside of
the jar was the legend, ''Chimmra Col
liei," with the date and place of cap
ture, and John Martins name as donor
The academy's ichthyologist didn't
think this fish much of a curio, re-
marking that it had been discovered
long enough ago for Linn@us to
classify it. However, he told some
things about it, which are of interest
1t is really, as the fisherman said, a
''rat fish," This is the popular name.
The chimsera is not an uncommon fish,
but this particular variety is found only
on the Pacific coast, and it lives chiefly
in and about Monterey bay. 1t is a
hider in deep holes and among rocks,
0uo IL ID ACt " NC LII GU W ohJ Va chS
anglers articles, for which reasons it
is not often brought to the surface.
The scientists, though they have
classified this odd denizen of salt waters
and have given it a name, say little
about its ha bits or the uses of it's pecu-
liarities of horn. barbed fins and legs.
1t belongs to the family of selachians,
!, oh bar Of tho ~ i1oc
Gus fishes, including the shark. In its
manner of reproduction the chimera
shares with the perch, found in Pacific
waters at this longitude, the popularity
of being viviporous, bringing forth its
young without spawn.
The female rat fish, which is even
rarer in the nets than it's consort, is
simpler in construction, lacking the
horn on the forehead, which is the
characteristic feature of the Species
San Francisco Chronicle.
Rice Custard-Soak a cup of rice in
cold water one hour: pour off the water
and add two cups rich milk; then cook
one hour. When cooked add a little
salt Dip small custard cups into cold
water and fill them with the rice and
set away until cold. When ready to
serve turn the rice balls on fat dish
and put little currant jelly on top of
each. For the custard, put one pint of
milk into double boiler: mix one ia BILE
spoonful of cornstarch with half cup
of cold milk; whe n the milk begins to
boil stir in the cornstarch and cold
milk and cook ten minutes. Mean
while, beat four eggs with half a cup
of sugar. After pouring the boiling
mixture over the eggs and sugar cook
the custard Eve mi nutes, stirring it all
the time. Remove from the fire and
add a little salt and teaspoonful lemon
extract: let the custard cool: pour over
the rice balls and serve.-Ohio Farmer.