The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-10-08
SEA
SECRETS


What is an s.inkfish"?
This odd sea animal is not
actually a fish but a large
shell-less molluSk somewhat
resembling slug and reach
ing a length of about a foot.
Some species are black, while
others may be greenish, cream
-colored, or yellow marked
with black rings. Although it
may crawl about on its und-
er surface like a snail, most
inkfish or "sea haresH as
they are also called, possess
a great pair ofefleshy flaps on
the body. by means of which
they can swim slowly through
the water. The local forms
(Tethysl, like the others, are
able to exude a bright pur-
pie fluid into the water when
alarmed, which accounts for
the common name. This fluid
is highly irritating, or even
fatal, to any fish which may
come in contact with il, so
the inkfish Is well protected
from its enemies.
What is the rate of flow Of
the Gulf Stream as it passes
through the FloFida Straits?
This particular part of the
Stream, known as the Florida
Current. flows al an average
speed of 4l5 knots, although
1t has been clicked at 3 knots,
or about IL miles per hour.
Studies of the flow of the
Gulf Stream are being car
ried on by the University of
Miami Marine Laboratory in
connection with the U. S. Coast
and Geodeiie Survey. Measure
ments OF the actual flow are
made with the aid of delicate
electrical instruments which
measure the voltage induced
by the water passing through
the earth's electromagnetic
field at any one point. It is
estimated that the Gulf
Stream, acting as a dynamo
in this way, generates a total
Of about 3 volts across the en-
tire Florida Straits.
}. What part Of the scallop is
ZEN?
|. The edible part Of the seallop
the large cylindrical adductor
lsele which serves to open and
Sc the shell. Since scall0ps are
Il TO swim by rapidly opening
4 closing the shell, the adductor
lscle in this particular shellfish
very large and flexible. II Is in
esting TO note that even in areas
ere other shellfish may become
Lluted through infestation with
son-produelng carbohydrates or
wage bacteria, seall0ps remain
BILE, since the aforementioned
sanisms affect the gills, liver,
4, and not the muscle tissue.
D. What fish has bones 50 soft
i they may be cut with q knife?
i, This is the giant ocean sun
b, Mola mola. In addition to It's
lmmoth size and bulk tl0.foot
amples may weigh more than a
D, this fish is noted for It's ex-
,mely sluggish movements and
habit of resting on its side on
. sea surface, apparently sun
lgs itself, which accounts for its
mmon name. For all lbs vast
light, the sunfish has flabby flesh
4 bones of q soft, eheesy con-
tency, and suhsisls largely upon
diet Of ieilyfish. II is sometimes
nted for the oil In its liver, but
herwise the ocean suniish IS
ruthless commercially.
Q. What are veteran ossielesg
A. These are peculiar hony
-uctures found in fishes Of the
der cypriniformes, which include
} representative freshwater land
few marinel fishes Of the world,
aung which are the earps, cat
hes, and electric cells The we
rian OssIcles consist OF especial
modified ribs which connect ihs
low air,filIed swim bladder with
I bones 81 the internal ear. Al
nugh fishes are presumed TO pc
ar, the weberian apparatus ep'
rentiy makes those fishes poSf
sxing II especially sensitive q
ntractions nf the swim bladder
used hy vibrations IN the sur
unding water, such as might pc
oduoed b. 5 falling stone, etc
d. Are many species Of eoaehs
ibIei B. II, Marsh, II. Pierce
a,
A. A number Of conehs may ee
ten but the only ones commoiily
ed for food locally are the large
"a and brown sheNed ones Pc,
nglnr 10 the Genus Stronbas snu
own Al queen c0nchs These
re mollusks lives On gEafsy O.
I'd bottom ard usually are soansl
shallow water, although ihss
AZ range into moderately deeT
aisr az occasion. Theg may 9
~ their habit q hissh'
4 themselves larward III d series