The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 07 (of 10)Boulenger, George Albert
Science
The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 07 (of 10)
Boulenger, George Albert
Animals
A much more complex type of luminous organ is to be found in the suborbital
organs of _Pachystomias microdon_, of which there are two on each side,
appearing as conspicuous white masses, one in front of the other, and
situated just below the eye. The more anterior of the two organs is
somewhat pouch-shaped in section, its walls consisting of several
concentric layers (Fig. 98). Externally there is a layer of black pigment,
within which is a stratum of irregular gland tubes. More internally still
there is a thick layer of light-reflecting spicules, probably derived from
an inverted and modified dermal scale. The axial part of the organ is
occupied by a number of radial-disposed structures, probably similar to the
gland tubes of the simple organs of _Opostomias_, and continuous with a
lens-like structure which, as it were, closes the expanded mouth of the
pouch. The superficial skin which forms the margin of the aperture
partially projects over the outer surface {181}of the lens-like body,
somewhat after the fashion of an iris-diaphragm. The organ is supplied by a
branch of the fifth cranial nerve. Between such simple and complex organs
as those above described there are various other types which are more or
less intermediate in character.
A particular type of phosphorescent organ is not necessarily restricted to
the same species; both the simplest and one or more of the more complex
types may be represented in the same Fish. Thus, _Opostomias micripnus_,
which frequents depths of over 2000 fathoms, has not only the simple organs
described above, but also others differing from the former in having an
external pigmentary sheath, which are scattered all over the body at
intervals of 1 to 3 mm. There are also larger and still more complex organs
which are disposed in two parallel rows along each side of the body; and
finally, the same species has special luminous organs on a median
chin-barbel, and also on an elongated fin-ray pertaining to the pectoral
fin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account