Their belly and side fins are borne upon
supports which project from the body in the semblance of limbs, their
similarity to which is increased by the jointed form they acquire at
the point of union of the fin with its support, and still farther
by the finger-like appearance of the rays of these fins, which are
unconnected by membrane at their tips. This curious structure imparts
to these fishes not only somewhat of the outward form of a quadruped,
but also a portion of its habits, and they are, accordingly, capable
of crawling like toads among the sea-weeds and rocks which they
usually inhabit; the side fins, which are placed farther back than
those of the belly, performing on each occasion the functions of
hinder feet. Nor is this mode of locomotion confined to the water
alone; it may, also, be exercised by them on land, for their
gill-openings are so small, that evaporation takes place but slowly
from within them, and thus the gills are kept moistened, and the
circulation of the blood is preserved, even out of the water, for two
or three days. So remarkable a deviation from the usual appearance and
habits of the class to which they belong, has naturally caused them to
be regarded as objects of curiosity; and it is recorded, that living
specimens have been successfully transported from the East to Holland,
where they have been sold at considerable prices.
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