Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1913-02-26
FISHES WITH SEARCRLlGHTS
By Hop"

some remarkable models OF hshes
hat inhablt the great depths OF the
Atlantic Pacific aud Indian oceans
nave been put on exhibition In the
AmericaAM Museum Of Natural History.
They sre considered the most note
worthy contributions yet made 10 pop
ular knowledge concerning the ap'
pearance, complicated structure and
habits Of the curious creatures that
dwell from one 10 Ave miles below the
surface Of the ocean. in regions never
penetrated by sunlight
When FISH from the greatest depth
reach the top they are always dead
having been killed by the change In
pressure In the early stage OF their
upward journey Many OF the crea-
lures from the depths are cartilagin'
ons and do not have bony structure.
Nearly all the fishes have formidable
teeth and are extremely voracious,
with mouths OF enormous capacity In
fsct some have stomachs Of such cx.
pansion that they can perform the
astonishing feat Of swallowing ami
mails larger than themselves
Probably the most interesting and
astonishing OF the deep sea dwellers
are the luminous fishes. marvelously
equipped with organs for projecting
light These light organs are means
on Illuminating the dark abyssal re
gioEs which they inhabit, and OF On.
abling them to avoid foes. recognize
their own kind and capture prey.
Many OF these fishes display curious
eyelike organs down the sides OF the
body. forming az II were series Of
miniature bullscye lanterns Again,
others possess light emittinr organs
behind the eyes or on the head and
shoulders
Provided with lanterns or luminous
spots. these fishes find their way In
the great depths and pillow through
the dark waters like flaming torches
Some Of the deep sea fishes are pro
vided with a rod which IL hinged 80
that It's tip can be swung Immediately
over It's back or In front OF the yora-
cious mouth A, the end Of this rod
is luminous lore This dccoy 'ttracts
other sea inhabitants. which are quick
~ enEul'od as they approach this
shining .uint
The lamp Is also used by the FISH
itself iu pursuit OF prey. throwing out
n beam OF Hight like soarchlight a.
It darts Foo and fro IN the inky waters
Many Of The fishes are totally blind
these fall easy victims 10 the hunter
after being detected by The bright rays
oi the lure
II has been found that az a depth
Of 1000 feet the suns rays cease 10
penetrate the ocean The eyes of the
deep sea inhabitants have undergone
some curious notifications In ire
majority 81 cases 81 Is found that the
eyes are either very large or very
small A large proportion % the deni.
zcns oi the deep possess either no
eyes or eyes reduced 20 mere vestiges
Tho deepest sounding SO FAR reached
on the ocean foor Is iu the Nor'h Pa.
cihc. near the Island % Guam. $3.50
'athoms. or 3l.6Ii feet Or about Sc
feet less than six miles This enor-
nous depth IL 2Ci2 feet greater than
the highest land elevation above tho
sea that - Mount Everest iH the
Hiualaya mountains e9.e01 feet
These great deeps. as they are
termed vary iu form and size The
Mares Deep lying wholly boo 'he At
lan'ic ocean. north of ,ho West indies
is ne largest The floor of IBIS deep
sinks to 1000 fathoms and is cstt
mated 70 cover an area lof 10000
square miles
Tho animal lifo on the ocean loor g.
enormous Not an % the species
nave as vet been described
n YOU have a house for rent. an
ID In the classified columns OF the