Saturday, January 20, 2018

Jewel # 308 (Jan. 15, 2018)


“And they shall be Mine, saith, the Lord of hosts, in that day when I
make up My Jewels.”
(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren

The Nile Catfish - Camouflage in the Sea

“God does great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.”
(Job 9:10)

Around coral reefs and other areas of the oceans where sunlight penetrates, many fish would be easy targets for larger fish, mammals and birds unless protected in some was. So God has given them camouflage for protection.

An example of this is the ten-inch bright-red sea dragon, living in the red seaweed along Australian shores.  it looks quite similar to the sea horse.  The sea dragon is a poor swimmer and would be devoured quickly by larger fish except that the Creator has given it an interesting disguise.  Not only is it helped by its red colour, but also it has been given wedlock growths all over its oddly shaped body including its head, chin, back and stoic.  This makes it look like a seaplane with new leaves sprouting on it

In South America and the Philippines there are also several small fish that both look and act like leaves of the mangrove tree that grows there.  One fish, almost as thin as a leaf, swims on its side near the surface and moves about as slowly as a drifting leaf while it fins morsels of food here and there.

The Nile Catfish is the only known fish that swims upside down, just the opposite of other fish.  Their backs are light-coloured and bodies are dark—thus they are safely camouflaged.

Flounders, that are common around North American and European shores, can change colour match the bottom the bay as they slowly swing along the bottom.  The same is true of several fish which live around Bermuda.  They can change colour almost instantly when swimming over different coloured parts of the ocean floor.

Sponge crabs look ordinary enough but cover themselves with sea sponge, which, which they cut with their claws to make a oat over their backs.  As the crab grows, the sponge does the same.  Or if the sponge dies, the crab just gets rid of it and cuts another one to fit.

Another variety, the decorator crab, will often cover itself with bits of coral or limestone or certain sea plants.  To other secreters it just looks like seaweed drifting by.

None of these amazing creature arranged for its unusual camouflage not did it happen gradually over a long time.  The Bible, which always tells the truth, says, “God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life” (Genesis 1:20).  Another verse speaking of God, says, “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. . . . He does great things past finding out” (Job 9:4,10)

It is good to read the Bible every day, and when you do, ask the Lord Jesus to make it all plain and helpful to you.  He will be pleased to have you do this.

Love you all - Grandpa  

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