. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE SEA HORSE. 493 looks just as if the head and shoulders of some very large fish had been abruptly cut off, and a fin supplied to the severed extremity. Several specimens of this odd-looking fish have been captured m British waters, and in almost every case the creature was swimming, or rather floating, in so lazy a fashion, that it permitted itsrlf to be taken without attempting to escape. In the seas where this fish is generally found, the harpoon is usually employed for its capture, not so much on account of its strength, though a large specimen wi
. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE SEA HORSE. 493 looks just as if the head and shoulders of some very large fish had been abruptly cut off, and a fin supplied to the severed extremity. Several specimens of this odd-looking fish have been captured m British waters, and in almost every case the creature was swimming, or rather floating, in so lazy a fashion, that it permitted itsrlf to be taken without attempting to escape. In the seas where this fish is generally found, the harpoon is usually employed for its capture, not so much on account of its strength, though a large specimen will sometimes struggle with amazing force and fury, but on account of its great weight, which renders its conveyance into a boat a matter of some little difficulty; and the leverage obtained by the harpoon quite necessary. The flesh of the Sun-fish is white and well-flavoured, and is in much request among sailors, who always luxuriate in fresh meat after the monotony of salted provisions. In flavour and aspect it somewhat resem- bles that of the Skate. Its liver is rather large, and yields a very considerable amount of oil, which is prized by the sailors as an infallible remedy against sprains, bruises, and rheu- matic affections. One of the most curious peculiarities of this fish is the structure of the eye, which is bedded in a mass of very soft and flexible folds belonging to the outer membranous coat, while it rests behind on a sac filled with a gelatinous fluid. When the creature is alarmed, it draws the eye back against the sac of fluid, which is thus forced into the folds of skin, and distends them so largely as nearly to conceal the entire organ behind them. While swimming quietly along, and suffered to be undisturbed, it generally remains so near the surface that its elevated dorsal fin projects above the water. Only in warm, calm weather is it seen in this attitude, and during a stormy season it remains near the bed of the sea, and contents itself with feeding on the s
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
