Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-12

"A Deep Sea Fish Which Carries It's Own Head.
Ights-.The Lights From the Bulbs, Which
G t;o;. ssv the the Substance Rs M. the p1ineste on s Msn
Animal.
and cuticle which become perfectly trans
parent. The light proceeds from small
rounded granules of photogenin, investing
the cycoplasm of the cells in all their parts.
In adults, the ventral light cell layer of
tissue is accompanied by a dorsal reflector
layer. The control Of the air supply of the
end cell, with it's muscular power and ade-
quate nerve supply, would account for the
control of the flashes of light of the FREELY"
We must at the outset separate the lumi-
nous pigment Of animals and plants from
electricity. The cold light produced by
nature has disclosed no electric quality. 1t
has, therefore, nothing to do with the power
to administer electric shocks common to the
electric cells, rays, etc. It is also notable that
SO far as is known, and I have investigated the
subject widely, none Of the fishes provided
with electrical apparatus have also luminous
pigment. Electricity is another form of pro-
lection from enemies as well as capture Of
prey.
The most conspicuous example of produc-
ton of cold light by animals, to my mind,
exists among the pediculates, or angler fish,
of which there are six groups. They are
known as angler fish, since all of them have
two spines which project from the snout
which act as baited rods to lure prey. In
dark places these rods become luminous, in
citing curiosity in the victims. Whatever the
variation in rods, structure and appearances
of the many different genera and species of
pediculates, the result is the same. When the
victim approaches, often entering the huge
open mouths. the ponderous jaws snap to-
gether, impaling the prey on teeth that bend
backward so it cannot draw out.
Many of these most luminous pediculates
live in deep water, far below the penetrable
depths of the suns rays. We are indebted
for much of our knowledge of, their very ex
istence to their own mistakes. For instance,
they will seize a fish twice as large as them
selves, soon stopping up the gullet completely.
The result is that gases form and buoy both
the pediculate and his victim to the surface,
where he is picked up either by laymen or
scientists and sent to some museum. Some of
the pediculates are known by no other means,
having escaped capture by deep sea travis.
In the ceratiids, one of the groups of ang.
Ter fish, the interspinal bone is generally di-
rected forward, largely concealed. The joint
ing splnes project upward, forming fishing
rods, firmly attached to the backbone of the
animal, SO that his prey or enemy cannot well
wrench it from him. On the end of the rod
is a bulb with luminous surface, accompanied
by various luminous frills or appendages,
curiously developed. 1t is not notable that Of
all the pediculates, the species Himantolophi
Of Japan, sometimes found in the Atlantic, has
the most CONSPICUOUS luminous development.
His fishing rods, or spines, are very stout, with
numerous Illuminated worm-like ~appendages
both on the rods and around the bulb. Natu-
rally an expert wonders if this is the fish
from which Professor Harvey is obtaining
luminous pigment in quantities.
Insects, worms and fishes are not the only
source of supply. There is a luminous fungus
giving a light so bright that if placed upon a
newspaper at night it will enable one to read
the surrounding text.