BANK NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 32

BANK NOTES.

The angel fish has more names than any other inhabitant of the ocean. It is called an angel fish because its extended pectoral fins have the appearance of wings. It is called a monk fish because its head seems to bo covered with a cowl resembling that of a monk, and in some localities it is known as the fiddle fish on account of its general resemblance in shape to a violin. It is really a kind of shark, 7ft or Bft long, and very dangerous to swimmers in tropical waters, more than one incident being narrated of hairbreadth escapes from its voracious jaws. For long-distance swimming the shark may be said to hold the record, as he can outstrip the swiftest ships apparently without effort, swimming and playing around them, and ever on the look out for prey. Any human being falling overboard in shark-frequented waters has very little chance of escape, so rapid is the action of the shark, the monster of the deep. The dolphin, another fast-swimming fish — a near relative of the whale — is credited with a speed of considerably over 20 miles an hour. For shorter distances the salmon can outstrip every other fish, accomplishing its 25 miles an hour with ease. The Spanish mackerel is one of the fastest of food fishes, and cuts the water like a yacht. Predatory fish are generally the fastest swimmers.

The cat is proverbially fond of fish, but we never knew till now that cows were partial to that diet. A correspondent of Land and Water relates the following incident as having occurred only two weeks ago: — "He had landed his maiden salmon, and having hidden it with the greatest care among some rushes, proceeded to fish down the river, intending to pick it up on his return in the evening. What was his disgust when he found an old Highland cow making a meal of his precious capture, little but the head being left ! In his exasperation he seized a trout which chanced to be in the basket, and hurled it violently at the head of the unconscious animal, striking her full in tho face ; but the old cow, not the least disconcerted, quietly picked up the trout and swallowed that also, thus remaining absolute victrix on the battlefield.