Evening star., 1924-08-16
Quest for Fish That Climb Trees
Takes Navigator Round the World
Capt. n. K Duken, in 68-FOot Gasoline Craft, Sails
From Chicago for South Seas-WM Photograph
Liuing Specimens of Rare Product.

When Capt. A. J. Dukep pointed the
nose Of 68-foot gasoline burning ketch
out OF Chicago Harbor into Lake Michi-
gan the other day a tremendous crowd
was on hand to wish him good luck He
is headed for the South Seas to photo.
graph tree-climbing fish Perhaps but
few were interested in the captains mis-
sion, but doubtless all in the crowd
were interested in any one making a
trip around the world in a boat of that
size.
Capt. Duken sails the Great Lakes,
thence down to New Orleans and PAN
anna, then round the Horn and heads
for the Malay Archipelago in his quest
for pictures. Tree-climbing fish have
been much under discussion of late. At
the University Of Iowa, Prof. c. c. Nut
ting is studying a fish that fills up a
pouch with water and likes to take little
overland trips. He wants to know how
these fish breathe through gills while
remaining out of water for hours Prof
o. A. Thomas got these specimens in
the Fiji Islands, and he says they climb
over roots and into lower limbs Of trees.
Have Two "Climbing Fins"
Two climbing fins enable them to
climb any small limb. and eyes that are
mounted on the top of their heads like
searchlightS assist. They turn inde-
pendently. so that the treeclimber, or
periophthalmus. can see in any or all
directions at once.
Interest centerS about the ability OF
the periophthalmus to breathe air from
the water or from the atmosphere with
equal ease 1t is thought that this is
made possible through a pouch below
the gills, which the treecimber fills with
water before starting on a hunting or
sightseeing tour.
When his gills become dry he mostens
them periodically in the pocket Of water
and the breathing goes on.
The specimens are only few
inches long and resemble ordinary
fish. except for their heads. which
look like those of monster grasshop-
pers. To the pelvic fins, which are
situated on the under side of the
body. is given credit for the fishs
climbing ability.
Fish That Can Walk.
From Butte. Mont, a report to the
American Nature Association OF
Washington, d. c.. says John Maho-
Rey returned from fishing trip
bringing eight fish of a genus here
tofore found only in Mexico. The fish
exhibited by Mahoney. caught in a
stream near Butte. have legs for fins
and walk as we'll as they swim. ac-
cording to the report received in
Washington. The fins have toes and
when put on the floor the fish are said
to walk rapidly and with apparent
ease.
When Lieut.. Daldorf Of the Danish
East India Co. once reported that he
had personally seen several fish leap
out Of pond and climb tree, his
superiors apparently made some ref
erence to leaving liquor alone and alb
solutely refused to believe the story
Nevertheless. Lieut.. Daldorf was
quite correct. says a bulletin of the
American Nature Association on tree
climbing fish.
The climbing perch, which abounds
in fresh water throughout nearly all
the Malay countries. as we'll as Cey-
Ion. India and Burma is in the habit
of leaving the water whenever the
fancy seizes it. travelling cross-coun-
try and climbing up the trunk of any
tree he may choose. Some of its
marches are of great length. and it is
in no way deferred by high hills OF
broad, dusty prairies, so long as i,
eventually reaches a river or lake to
its liking
There seems to be some difference
or opinion as to what parts the fish
uses in order to get over the grounu
in this manner. but it is commonly
supposed to employ certain stiff spines
on the cover of it's gills.
An adult climbing perch may grow
to at least or inches. No fish in
our own country are quite SO YER
satile. but it is now well estab-
lished fact that certain cells and min
nows can travel from one pond to
another near at hand. providing that
the intervening territory is more or
less level and overgrown with mois,
grasses.
In the upper Andes of South Amer
lea are found climbing catfish, while
another authentic report covers fish