The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-30
CAN FISHES T1LKP
Curious Sounds Uttered by Some of the
Denizens of the Ocean.

AVALON. Cal. July 25-Fish that utter
sounds are by no means rare but they are not
often seen or heard by those not in the fishing
business. Some years ago. in the Gulf Of Mex
leo. a small. highly colored fish known as the
hRmulon was hauled in The moment it ap-
peared above the surface II opened its
mouth and began to grunt and groan 80
loudly that the attention OF the entire
party was attracted to 1t. The sounds could
be heard from one end 10 the other Of the
sxty-ton schooner One OF the fishermen held
the fish In amazement a few moments. and
then was so convinced that 1t was talking and
begging for liberty that II was tossed overheard.
The gizzard shad utters a note that can be
heard some distance. and the eel is said to
make noise that comes nearer to being must
cal than any other made by q fish. The loud
est sound uttered by Hsh came from a small
dogflsh. or shark. on the New England coast.
The fishermen were hauling them in by the
dozen. and as each fish came out Of the water it
uttered a loud croak. and kept 1t up as though
In great agony. 80 that when several were on
deck the air was full OF barking. or oroakinG.
The drumCsh is one OF the few fishes whose
sounds are heard while they are in the water.
The late Spencer F. Baird OF the Smithsonian
Institution made some interesting expert
ments with them. and in report described
the strange sounds that came up from the
bottom. He had the impression that the FISH
we're directly on the bottom Of the vessel and
were in some way striking It; but this was
found to be q mistake. Tho fish we're in q
school some feet below tho surface. and were
in all probability making the sounds by strik-
ing their pharyngeal teeth together The
sounds produced by these f1sh have often had a
singular effect upon superstitous seamen. who
saw Omens In the weird noises.
Any one who has slept in a small boat with
his ears few inches from the water has heard
| appeared like a series Of cracks or, electric
| shocks. but what creatures produce the noise
One OF the most remarkable OF all the sound.
producing fishes is found in China seas. and
white s Bs6 O H. F WSs e by
gagged in some special work at the entrance Of
a river and game to anchor one night in shall
be heard coming up from the, bottom. They
were described as. resem bling the changing OF
bells and the heating Of drums The men were
demoralizcd and attributed the noises to spirits
il being said that rev OF pirates had gone
| thar the noise was caused by some sea animals
and investigation showed that it came from a
school OF fish that made the sounds by clap
| ping their teeth together
The great Australian lung fish. 50 called be-
cause whom under water II hre eatte by Its
sounds that have startled men, The fish,
which attains length Of six or eight feet, has
ard crawiins over the mSrshy ground. at this
time ,uttering singular barking sound OF such
| heard long distance. n sound very much like
that Of the California drumtlsh.
That whales utter sounds Ia asserted by
| many, and one is known as the cainR whale
| from the sounds II makes. A certain village in
| France was once thrown into CONSERVATION by
| the cries which were heard from the sea at
| night and when those who mustered up sufli-
| cicnt courage reached the water they found q
school OF whales had stranded and were utter
ing cries.
| Whether the noises produced by 0shes can
| be considered as n language IL a subject for de
bate, but they may well be an expression Of
| the emotions, and have some meaning. either
| as a call. one individual To another. or a
| communication OF some kind.