Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-09

CONTINUOUS observation, with the result that
ne believes no aid can be lent to respiration
by the immersed portion of the tail The
gil chambers of these fish are capacious
ana IN ms opinion it is probable that a
suihclent amount of water can be retained
IN them to keep up the respiration during
the time the fish are out of the water He
mas timed individuals, both in their natural
cohaltlon and in the aquarium, and found
that they would sit for more than half an
hour without bath. They would then
walk slowly into the water and go below
the surface for second. come up and rest
Tor brief space. and walk slowly out
again onto the margin. Their resemblance
to tadpoles is exceedingly striking and
thelr strange appearance is added TO by
their prominent eyes, which are better
adapted for vision in the air than in water
and, from their position, must command an
extensive field in all directions. They can
be protruded and retracted and as the fish
lies propped up by its pectoral fins, it often
appears to wink at the spectator, with one
eye or both. DR.. Forbes has, however, ex-
planned that what seems to be winking is
the inversion of the eye into a depression
Immediately beneath, for the purpose of
IubricatinS the organ when it becomes dry
There is a singular fish in the Nile known
as tilapia simonis, and it is also common
in Palestine and the Lake of Tiberius It's
method OF caring for its young is very pc
culiar. At the time of spawning the
mother fish forms a little nest among the
reeds and PUSHES, in which she deposits
perhaps 200 green eggs, about the size of
shot, which she Immediately deserts Curl
ously enough, in all the thousands of fishes
but three or four instances are known
where the mother displays an affection for
her young or remains by them.
me father stations himself by the nest
and presently appears to be dining upon
the eggs; but If he is carefully watched it
Will be seen that he is taking them into
his mouth with the greatest care, and not
swallowing them. They are lodged in what
corresponds to the cheeks and held there
The eggs soon hatch, the little fishes grow
and the couHtenance of Mr. Tilapia be-
comes greatly swollen and puffed out of
ali semplance to his former self. He can
not begin. to close his mouth and presents
most extraordinary appearance
1oaccommodate and protect the growing
Iamly,g the fish submits to the greatest in
convenience, and only permits them to
escape when it is physical impossibility
to hold them any longer. At this time the
father will undergo severe treatment rather
than relinquish his progeny. He has been
thrown out upon the beach, but still clings
to his charge, even during the death strug-
giles. Many of the young remain in this
singular cradle until they are four inches
In length
The male seahorse has a little pouch in
Its yentral surface, into which in some
manner 1t places the eggs of its mate
When they are Matched and become. TOO
numerous and large to control the seahorse
presses the pouch against stone and gem
tly urges them to take their departure At
this time they are very small. but they
grow rapidly, and are preyed upon by
myriads of fishes.