The illustrations provided in the books of Rev. John G. Wood are interesting not only for what they portray, but how they are described. Here is Wood’s folksy spin on three major fishes of Egypt and Palestine:

In order that the reader may see examples of the typical Fish which are to be found in Egypt and Palestine, I have added three more species, which are represented in the following illustration.

The uppermost figure represents the NILE PERCH. This fish is plentiful in the Nile, and in the mouths of many Asiatic rivers. It is brown above, silvery white below, and may be distinguished by the armed gill-covers, and the three strong spines of the anal fin. The tongue is smooth.

Immediately below the Nile Perch is the STAR-GAZER. This Fish is found in the Mediterranean, and derives its name from the singular mode in which the eyes are set in the head, so that it looks upward instead of sideways. It is one of the mud-lovers, a fact which accounts for the peculiar position of the eyes. It is said to feed after the fashion of the fishing-frog – i.e. by burying itself in the mud and attracting other Fishes by a worm-like appendage of its mouth, and pouncing on them before they are aware of their danger.

This is not a pretty Fish, and as it is very spiny, is not pleasant to the grasp, but the flesh is very good, and it is much valued by those who can obtain it.

The last fish is the SURMULLET, a Fish that is equally remarkable for the beauty of its colours and the excellence of its flesh.” (pp. 657-648)

Excerpt from J. G. Wood, Story of the Bible Animals, Charles Foster Publishing Company, 1886.

For the first part of this series on Wood’s illustrations, click here.