Chias mod on tidæ

Family of Acanthopterygian fishes, of which the type is Chias mod on niger, or the Black Swallower, living at a depth in the ocean of nearly a mile. It has a gape extending far back of the eyes; the jaws are beset with teeth like those of the Python, and it frequently swallows a fish whole, containing ten times its own bulk. Its stomach and belly are so distensible that their walls will stretch to accommodate this enormous meal; becoming so transparent that the species of fish swallowed may be discerned. Sometimes gases are generated by the decomposing morsel which float the cap tor, and thus several museum specimens have been secured.