Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . ke teeth? Because they browse on newly-formed layers of stonycorals, digesting the animal matter therein contained, andsetting free the carbonate of lime in a chalky state. Theirjaws and teeth possess immense strength. Sub-order IV.—Acanthoptera. 1102. Why is the fourth sub-order called acanthoptera? From acanthos, a thorn, and pterygion, a fin,—mean
Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . ke teeth? Because they browse on newly-formed layers of stonycorals, digesting the animal matter therein contained, andsetting free the carbonate of lime in a chalky state. Theirjaws and teeth possess immense strength. Sub-order IV.—Acanthoptera. 1102. Why is the fourth sub-order called acanthoptera? From acanthos, a thorn, and pterygion, a fin,—mean-ing thorn-finned. One of the most distinguishing featuresof these fishes is, that the spinous rays of their fins consti-tute formidable defensive weapons. * Orrs Circle, of the Seieaeee. 340 \ KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL HISTORY. The west part of the land was high browed, much like thehead of a gurnard.*—Hackluyt. 1103. The number of fishes belonging to this sub-order is exceed-ingly great, and they present a considerable diversity of structure. 1 104. Why do the spinous defensive weapons of fishesturn backwards? Because their enemiesattack them from behind;the direction of the sharpspines is therefore most effi-cient for their 1105. Why are theIndian gurnards calledflying fishes?Because, when pursued by the dolphin, or other largecreature of prey, they spring from the sea, in which actiontheir large pectoral fins support them upon the air, in themanner of a parachute. Their action, however, is not thatof flying, but springing from the sea. 1 106. Why are the chaetodons remarkable for bril-liancy of colors? These are tropical fishes,and, like other animals of thetropics, remarkable for theirbeauty, which may be attrib-uted in this, as in other in-stances, to the intense actionof the sun, although the na-ture of that action cannot beexplained. The chaetodons have beendescribed as occupying a similar place in the tropical seasto those which parrots occupy in tropical
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1916
