Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/297

Rh exhibit many of their peculiarities, and few subjects of the deep have displayed, in prison, more sport or more intelligence.

"When swimming about, they maintain a vertical position; but the tail is ready to grasp whatever meets it in the water, quickly entwines in any direction round the weeds, and, when fixed, the animal intently watches the surrounding objects, and darts at its prey with great dexterity. When two approach each other, they often twist their tails together, and struggle to separate, or attach themselves to the weeds; this is done by the under part of their cheeks or chin, which is also used for raising the body when a new spot is wanted for the tail to entwine afresh. The eyes move independently of each other, as in the Chameleon; this, with the brilliant changeable iridescence about the head, and its blue bands, forcibly reminds the observer of that animal."

It must not be forgotten that the Chameleon entwines its prehensile tail around the twigs of plants when watching for prey, thus presenting another analogy between these highly curious animals of different Classes.