“LAMP-POST” NOSED PISH

Evening Star, Issue 18138, 30 November 1922, Page 10

“LAMP-POST” NOSED PISH

A rare lisli, which has a phosphorescent nose, lias been naught off the Eastern Pacific coast. It rejoices in the name of dolopicntys elector, and cruises around at about 7 ft) tathoms deep, where there is no light ati all. Its nose, or “ finray,” therefore, when well glowing, is not only a useful lamppost, but a cunning bait to lure other fish to vaster depths as food for Mr “ Dolop.” The fish, according to an official in_the Natural 'History Museum at South Kensington, is so rare that there is no specimen in the possession, of the British] authorities. It belongs to a class known as " anglers.” The phosphorescence is a chemical illumination, and not the result of a natural electric motor. Many phosphorescent fishes are caught off the European coasts, but they are of a kind that have a row of illuminators running along the sides of, their bodies. None of these deep-sea fish can bo kept in aquariums, aa the great pressure to which they are accustomed! cannot be maintained artificially, and when brought up from great depths they simply burst.