. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. V» i''^i ^ Ji THE RTARGAZEP. Mv. Bennett, wlio seems tn liavo discdvcred this curious creature, writes as follows resiiecting its aiipeaiance :— " T]i()u,f,'li till- (liscdverv of tliese (luminous) meclusa> was a satisfactory explanation of the phosi)horescent appearance of tlie Avater, 1 had yet to learn that tlie latter effect was partly protluced by living', hony, and pcrfcetly organized fish. Such fish were numerous in the sea this ni
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. V» i''^i ^ Ji THE RTARGAZEP. Mv. Bennett, wlio seems tn liavo discdvcred this curious creature, writes as follows resiiecting its aiipeaiance :— " T]i()u,f,'li till- (liscdverv of tliese (luminous) meclusa> was a satisfactory explanation of the phosi)horescent appearance of tlie Avater, 1 had yet to learn that tlie latter effect was partly protluced by living', hony, and pcrfcetly organized fish. Such fish were numerous in the sea this night, and a tow-net ca])tnred ten of them in the space of a few hours. They were a species of Scopelus, three inches in length, covered with scales of a steel-grey colour, and the tins spotted M'ith grey. Each side of the margin of the abdomen was occupied by a single row of small aiul circular depressions of the same metallic grey hue as the scales, a few similar depressions being also scattered on the sides, but with less regularity. The examples we obtained were alive when taken from the net, and swam actively upon being placed in a vessel of sea-water. AVhon handled, or .swimming, they emitted a vivid phosphorescent light from the scales or plates covering the body and head, as well as from the circular depressions on the abdomen and sides, and which presented the appearance of so many small stars spangling the surface of the skin. The luminous gleam (which had sometimes an intermittent or twinkling character, and at others shone steadily for sei eral minutes together) entmh/ disappeared after the death of tlie fslt. In two specimeiiS we examined, the contents of the stomach were small shrimps," The head of this fish is large and blunt, the eyes are remarkably large, and of a silvery whiteness. The scales are veiy loose, and fall off with the least touch. wil^il^-' ;*'*"H«^'. 'M.—Anuhlriis MroflUhalmus. The fish which is represented in the accompanyin
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
