FISH THAT BLUSHES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 28, 16 January 1912, Page 3

FISH THAT BLUSHES.

“Though devoid of other graces, the deep sea octopus possesses the charm, in common with the village maiden, of blushing,” was the extraordinary declaration made at a recent meeting of savants in London by Dr. F. M. Duncan, when lecturing on “The Romance of Marine Biology.” “This dragon of the deep,” ho said, “lias a capacity for blushing which is simply marvellous. Ho does not merely blush one colour like the ladies, but bo suits bis blush exactly to the emergency which prompts it. Ho lias a fine command of colour, and by blushing to the line of bis surroundings at any particular time be is able to escape the observation of his foes and to steal unseen upon his prey.” The lecturer had some interesting things to toll about the starfish. Starfish were extremely fond of oysters, ho said; indeed, they were the oyster-fisher’s greatest foe. “When a starfish Is in the mood for an oyster lunch, ho selects his oyster and gently embraces her.” said Mr Duncan. “Wrapping bis arms about her be proceeds to drag steadily upon the t:vo valves of the oyster shell, at the same time pressing his mouth against her. An oyster can withstand a pull of very great force, if it bo exerted suddenly, but this persistent steady drag of the suckers upon the valves begins to tell. The oyster grows weary of the strain, and yawns. It is all over then. The starfish has won, and he proceeds to devour his victim.”) j At one time fisher-folk used to tear in pieces all the starfish they caught, believing that by so doing they effectively destroyed them. But the starfish possessed in an extraordinary degree the power of replacing'lost parts. Out a starfish in two, and it was most probable that the several halves would each develop into complete starfish; so the fisher folk desisted from a plan which merely tended towards a multiplication of their enemies, and instead sold the starfish to farmers for manure.