DEEP-SEA DEVIL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 719, 19 July 1929, Page 6

DEEP-SEA DEVIL

AMAZING MONSTER OF DARKNESS RESEARCH OFF N.Z. COAST Imagine a huge skeleton-like deep-sea denizen with an enor- ; mous mouth, holding aloft a feeler bearing a light that lures other fish to the utter darkness of the depths and death in its jaws. ijpHIS picture of the Deep-Sea Devil, one of the strangest creatures found off the New Zealand coast, was presented by Mr. R. Falla in an illustrated lecture in the University College last evening. Discovery of these sea specimens was made by scientists of the Danish research yacht Dana, on which Mr. Falla spent a fortnight at the invitation of Professor Johannes Schmidt. Describing the amazing creatures caught in the complete darkness of depths greater than 200 fathoms, Mr. Falla said some of the catches could not be classed as fish. Water pressure was so great at these depths that metal would be crushed as though smashed by heavy hammers and glass would he reduced to powder, consequently specially reinforced instruments had to be used in the investigations. Comparatively few creatures lived below 200 fathoms. The deep sea devil, because of its skeleton frame with practically no internal organs enabling it to withstand the enormous pressure, was found existing at 9,000 ft. The creature generated its own light for the lamp on the feeler. A devil, of another type, in addition to having a lamp on its feeler, was equipped with a hook which captured its prey. Lantern fish, which took their name because of the wonderfully formed rows of lamps along their bodies, were also specimens of the deep. Among other creatures caught, many of which were previously unknown, were shrimps that exuded phosphorescent fluid and so lighted their way. HABITS OF THE EEL After 25 years’ investigation into the habits of the common eel, Professor Schmidt had proved that eels from Europe and North America travelled thousands of miles to their breeding ground in the West Indies. When the eggs were hatched the young elvers returned to home waters, taking a year to reach America and three years to cross the Atlantic to Europe. During the fortnight spent off the New Zealand coast this research work had been continued in deep and shallow waters, thousands of specimens being secured sometimes hundreds of miles from land. The Dana’s wonderful wireless sounding equipment would undoubtedly produce much valuable information. Mr. Falla added that much useful information to the fishing industry regarding the habits of fish, their feeding and breeding grounds could be expected from future deep-sea research off the New Zealand coast.