[Illustration: LUMP FISH.]
This is one of the largest of the Ray family. It sometimes reaches a
length of twelve feet, and being excellent eating, is much sought after
by fishermen. It is commonly seen with the Skate-fish in European
markets, as it inhabits all the European seas.
A ray of great curving spines extends all along the back of the
Lump-fish, to the end of the tail. Two similar spines are above and two
below the point of the nose. Two others are placed before, and three
behind the eyes. In fact, the whole surface of this curious Lump-fish
fairly bristles with large and small spines, and because of this it is
sometimes called the Buckler-fish; for these spines are not merely for
ornament, but for defence. The color of the upper surface of this Fish
is brown with light spots. The tail, which often exceeds the body in
length, has three small fins at the end.
Ray-fish of all kinds are inhabitants of the deep sea, but they change
according to the seasons. While stormy weather prevails they hide
themselves in the depth of the ocean, where they lie in ambush, creeping
along the bottom. But they do not always live at the bottom; they rise
occasionally to the surface, far from shore, eagerly chasing other
inhabitants of the deep, lashing the water with their tails and fins,
springing out of the water, and making it foam with their sport.
When pursuing their prey they use their great fins which resemble wings,
and with these and their tail, they beat the waters in order to fall
unexpectedly upon their prey, as the Eagle swoops upon its victim.