How much more he might have told them about shagreen I do not know, for he was interrupted by Alice shouting, "Oh, Uncle Harry! what kind of fish is this?" as she held up for his inspection a queer-looking fish of a brownish color, with two pectoral fins of a size out of all proportion to its body. She put it into a tub of water, and watched it as it folded and opened its fins like fans. "Is it a flying-fish?" she asked.
"It is a sea-robin, Alice, sometimes known as a pig-fish," answered Uncle Harry.
"Why is it called a sea-robin?" inquired Tom.
"On account of its fins, I suppose," answered Uncle Harry. "It is called a pig-fish because it makes a noise like a pig." Then picking up the fish, he tapped it lightly on its head. "Ugh, ugh, ugh," said the fish.
The children laughed, and begged Uncle Harry to make it repeat its performance.
"What pretty eyes he has!" said Alice.
"Yes," chimed in Charley, "they are green, just like mamma's emerald."
"And what a funny flat square nose!" added Alice.
"A sort of a flat square circle, eh?" said Uncle Harry, mischievously.
"You know what I mean: its mouth is broader and its nose is not so round as a black-fish," explained Alice.