Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-19

at an agile of about As degrees, with its
eyes and the tip of its Jaws just pro-
truding. If there is an insect or spider
within range globule of water Is
elected from its mouth with force and
accuracy and the unwary prey is dis
lodged, falls in the water and is
promptly devoured Usually only a
single drop of water is propelled at a
given mark, but when necessary a Sc
ries of water missiles may be elected In
rapid succession.
Lizards Knocked From Boards.
ION several occasions within my
knowledge the shooting fish has
knocked small lizards from the side OF
a board overhanging a stream, and at
least twice a person smoking ciga-
rette on a verndah over the river near
Bangkok has had the cigarette extin-
guished by we'll directed shot.
THE effective range of a full-grown
fish Is any distance up to meter, but the
drops may go much further, even splash
ing against the ceiling of low verandas
over the water. There is nothing in the
general appearance of the fish to sug-
gest any such power, and it has no
special shooting apparatus. It's peculiar
power depends on the long narrow low
er jaw with its tip projecting at the
tity of water held in the back of the
closed-mouth cavity. and on the sudden
and forceful compression of the gill
covers at the moment the mouth is
opened.
Not the least noteworthy about this
fish Is the adaptation of its eyes for
accurate atmospheric vision. With or
binary fishes the eyes function imper-
fectly In the air. With the shooting
fish even small objects like ants and
flies are clearly distinguished for at
least one meter above the surface"
DR.. Smiths observations, however,
detract somewhat from the uncanny
reputation of the famous climbing
perch" Of Siam. This fish, he says, most
certainly can climh-even up an in
clined tree trunks If it wants to. But it
doesn't rob bird nests and very seldom
is seen in q tree.
Not q Dry Land Climber.
This fish," he says, sometimes takes
advantage Of the roots Of trees growing
on the waters edge or Of inclined
trunks that have fallen into the water
and all climbing perch that have seen
in trees were in such situations. It does
not go out on dry land and climb trees.
1T Is covered with an armor of large
hard scales, held together by a tough
chAll, 4ldS SiIOilS, sharp SplDeS IN Lne
fms and on the side of the head and
has powerful pectoral rms, which serve
as feet and when spread enable 1t to
maintain an upright position on land
Placed on a level surface, 1t can pro-
gress rather rapidly, with . jerky gait
by lateral movements of the tail, as in
swimming. The climbing propensity is
manifested by ascending the steep
banks of streams and ponds and In
crossing obstacles in its path when
passing from one water course to an
other. This enables it to leave haunts
that are becoming dry or where the
food supply Is inadequate. It's feeding is
done in the water, and its food con-
sists of small fish, crabs, frogs, shrimps
molluskS and insects.
This fish is a member Of a large
family, restricted to Oriental countries
in which, above the gills, there is a
chamber containing q supplementary
breathing apparatus, by which the fish
may take oxygen directly from the air
This organ need not function when the
fish Is in the water"
Possession Of this accessory breathing
apparatus. DR.. Smith says, also makes
possible the peculiar behavior of the
serpent-heads, important food fish
which will remain alive and In good
condition in damp earth for months
and appear suddenly remote from water
courses after heavy rain.