SWALLOWED BY SHARKS

Evening Star, Issue 20318, 29 October 1929, Page 11

SWALLOWED BY SHARKS

JONAH EMULATED BY FISH Among many rare and startlingly coloured fish recently received at tiie Zoological Society’s Aquarium from the coast of Madeira are a pair of loin long porcupine fish (states the ‘ Daily Telegraph’). They are grotesque, spiny creatures, capable of inflating their bodies with air until they become spherical. This habit is probably protective, since when the skin is extended the spines becomo erectile, and proof against the attacks of enemies. Porcupine fish are also able to detenu themselves with their teeth, which, being united, form sharp cutting plates. vVhen swallowed, as they are occasionally by large fish such as sharks, they are able, by means of these teeth, to eat their way out of not only the stomach. but of the sides of the body. As a result it is the giant that dies, _ and the porcupine fish continues on its journey none the worse for its Jonah-like experience. In some parts of the Far East the fish is caught by the native children, blown out, and utilised as a substitute for a football. The flesh of the creature is stated to be highly poisonousand in the ancient days in Japan . common method of committing suicic was to make a meal off a porcupine fish Some crabs, remarkable for the enormous size of their, claws, and known by the name of “ bashful crabs,” from their habit of seeking protection by burying themselves in the sand, form part of the new collection. Crabs, like most other crustaceans, cast their shells at frequent intervals, and, after moulting and before the hardening of the new armour, are helpless against their numerous enemies. In the time of their need the bashful crabs protect their brethren by taking them under their gigantic claws until the shells have become hardened. . Other specimens collected in Madeira waters and brought to the Regent’s Park under-water zoo include blue, freen, and yellow jazz-fish, scarlet carinal fish, chocolate and purple castanet fish, and giant coral reel hermit crabs, weighing, with their 9in-long shells, over 21b each.