"No there is not. That is one of the main reasons Fire Lobster eggs are a Class A Non-Tradeable good. The Maut Potion is oderless and tasteless, completely undetectable...well that's not true. It's only detectable once the individual has died. The body, in most cases, spontaniously combusts, that is after all functions have ceased. The Potion effects every system in one's body, the muscular system, the nervous system, the immune system, the respiratory system...it causes a complete body shut down. That is why is is kin to the Killing Curse."

"That's a very good question. The Fire Lobster will leave their lava environment to lay their eggs, which is at the mouth of lava vents on the ocean floor. Now there is no term to classify a witch or wizard that is similar to the Muggle term 'scientist'. They are a witch or wizard who has taken an interest in a specific item, creature, plant...what ever the case, and explores all possible avenues of that 'object'. The closest comparison we have would be our Healers at someplace like St. Mungo's being kin to a Muggle doctor. I hope that answer's your question."

"Not by any witch or wizard that I have known. Not much research has been conducted on the actual lobster, just their eggs. The biology behind these firey beasts is still to be explored."

HM Hendrik paused for a moment before he continued with his lesson.

"Seeing as there are no more questions, I will continue."

He passed his wand over the blackboard again.

Blackboard

"The next creature is called a Gunard. They are relatively small fish with spiky projections around the gill area. If you look closely, you can tell that this is a picture of two Gunards eye to eye. Also notice the two spike like projections located at to front of their bodies. These 'spikes' are directly linked to the fishes nervous system and it is able to produce an electrial charge from these projections. The charge does not travel far in the water and it uses this ability as either a form of defence or for catching prey. They will 'ram' their prey, impaling it with one or both of these spikes, release a charge stunning their victim, and then consume it while it's still alive. What you can not see below these spikes is it's mouth which is lined with several rows of razor sharp teeth."

Anelreas held back a giggle as she saw the cretures on the board. They looked very peculiar. "So Gunards are sort of like electric eels? Only more violent."

*Raises hands*
Could muggles have got their idea of the stun gun from these Gunards?"

*Raises hands again*

"I have a quick question about the firecrab eggs. Do you think it is possible that the killing potion could have leaked into the muggle population and would be the cause for the many unexplainable deaths?"

Natalya raised her hand. "Are Gunards pehaps related to the rockfish family which include lionfish or the deadly stonefish? They are both two species which have similar venomous spikes."

Francis took notes silently as others raised questions.

*Hayley raises her hand* "Where are these fish indegious to?" she asked, after copying down the notes from the questions of other students.

"Judging from the look of their eyes, I would assume they live deep in the ocean where there isn't much sunlight. Professor, can they also use those projectiles and the electric charge as a way of seeing in the dark, so to speak?"

munnie quickly copied down the notes and stared at the professor for an answer.
she looked at the Gunard with awe, it looked beautiful to her. she raised her hand and asked, "Professor, what kind of creatures do these...Gunards prey on? Are they dangerous to us? and how does the prey normally act when stunned? do they twich(sp), or just lie still?"

Serena knew a little about the Red Gurnards, a fish muggles like to catch and eat.

The Danish trawl for them, but also catch them with seines, longlines and gillnets. They can also be found in New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and China. They mostly inhabit shallow coastal waters over sandy bottoms, but have been reported being caught from shelf waters as deep as 180m.
Spawning takes place in the summer and larvae can be found off eastern Tasmania in late January. Juveniles stay inshore in nursery areas. Both males and females are mature at 2-3 years old, when they are 20-24cm fork length. Red Gurnards live for over 10 years and can grow to 60cm length and about 3 kg.

The Headmaster listened to all the questions in turn before he began his diverse set of answers.

"Only when provoked, if they are not bothered they go most of their lives unnoticed."

"I doubt that Muggles got their idea for a stun gun from these fish...however nothing is impossible when it comes to Muggles....they tend to be very resourceful. I'm sure that somewhat 'unethical' witches or wizards somewhere in history could have leaked the potion to the Muggle population though it would have definitely had to have been brewed by someone within the wizarding community. There are many unexplained Muggle deaths that have very strong links to wizardry in some fashion."

"Perhaps, way back in it's lineage, the Gunard split from some common ancestor to the rockfish family. There seems to be several common traits."

"If I'm not mistaken, this perticular species can be found worldwide, however it is a deep water species living all of it's life at great depths."

"Gunards will prey upon just about any creature smaller than they are and that do not pose a threat to them, like being able to eat them. Depending on the 'size' of the shock the Gunard inflicts upon it's prey, I would wager to guess that some twitching would be involved, though in reality the prey would just float in the water column or gradually sink to the ocean floor where the Gunard would be able to consume it's meal. As far as a threat to us...well unless you are at great depths or on the ocean floor, I can safely say that you have nothing to worry about." The Headmaster had to grin after answering this question. He was pleased to see that the students were so inquisitive.

"No, you said it yourself...because of the size of their eyes, they do not need to use their electric charges as a form of light in the depths of the ocean."

He then turned to Serena to address her responce.

"That's very good Serena, and very true; however, this particular species is not normally caught and consumed by Muggles. There is a non-magical fish that you might be confusing this one with...here let me show you."

Again, he pointed his wand at the board



"This is what Muggles refer to as a Flying Gurnard. It has many of the same habitats as the Gunard fish we are discussing and what you said is very true for the Flying Gurnard. I hope this clears things up."

HM Hendrik soon realized that his class was quickly comming to an end and he needed to go over one more species before he assigned homework. With a final pass of his wand at the board, the last creature of this lesson appeared.
Blackboard

"Now some of you may find this creature very interesting. It's the Firefly Squid. Does anyone know anything about it?"

Francis raised her hand, "The firefly squid is a small member of the squid family, growing to a length of only three inches. The tips of their tentacles are equipped with light-producing organs called photophores. The squid uses these lights to attract it prey. By flashing these lights on and off, they can attract small fish and then pounce on the with their powerful tentacles. The firefly squid is also capable of emitting light from its entire body. The squid's body is covered with tiny photophores that can be flashed in unison or alternated in an endless number of hypnotizing patterns. The firefly squid spends its days at depths of about 1200 feet. At night, it comes up to the surface to search for food. During spawning season, they can even come close to shore. They can be seen gathering every year from March to May in Toyama Bay in Japan. Toyama Bay is a V-shaped canyon in which the sea floor drops away very suddenly. The flow of the current usually wells up from the bottom so that the squid are pushed up to the top by the water. The area where the squid gather has been designated as special natural treasure. The average life span of a firefly squid is about one year. They are found throughout the western Pacific ocean."

Serena raised her hand.

The firefly squid is a small member of the squid family that grows to a length of only three inches. The tips of their tentacles are equipped with light-producing organs called photophores. The squid uses these lights to attract its prey. By flashing these lights on and off, they can attract small fish and then pounce on the with their powerful tentacles. The firefly squid can emit light from its entire body as well. The squid's body is covered with tiny photophores that can be flashed in unison or alternated in an endless number of hypnotizing patterns. The firefly squid spends its days at depths of about 1200 feet. At night, it comes up to the surface to search for food. During spawning season, they can even come close to shore. They can be seen gathering every year from March to May in Toyama Bay in Japan. Toyama Bay is a V-shaped canyon in which the sea floor drops away very suddenly. The flow of the current usually wells up from the bottom so that the squid are pushed up to the top by the water. The area where the squid gather has been designated as special natural treasure. The average life span of a firefly squid is about one year. They are found throughout the western Pacific ocean.

The Headmaster grinned as both students gave the same answer.

"It seems that you two have been doing some reading...out of the same book no doubt. Well what you have said is very true. Now what does your book tell you of their magical abilities?"

With a slight grin he said, "5 points to both houses."

Francis smiled a little bit embarassed. Then raising her hand unsuringly, she replied, "Would it have to do with its hypnotic abilities? Perhaps the squid can make its prey sleep or be dazed?"

Serena raised her hand.

'I agree. It seems the firefly squid has similar abilities to the hinkypunk that carries a light to lure travelers into bogs. The firefly squid uses its lights to lure and hypnotize unsuspecting victims into their lair.'

raises her hand. " i was thinking they had hypnotic powers because as serenasnape and fr2nc1z said they use thier lights to attract thier prey. oh and a question if you dont mind professor, can these firefly squids protect themselves by using thier body light to blind thier enemies and make an excape?"

Amy raised her hand.
"Are the photophores used for any magical purposes, such as potions?" Amy asked Professor Hendrik. "Or perhaps their eggs," she suggested.

"Very good Serena and Francis, the Firefly Squid uses it's photophores as a type of hypnotic ability to create a state of confusion to both its prey and to escape from predators. This is a very unique creature because it is one of the few underwater creatures that can be domesticated, much like a dog or cat. Now, if I'm not mistaken, when a Mereperson decides to domesticate a Firefly Squid, they are supposed to remove several of the photophores along it's body and tenticles. This greatly reduces it's hypnotic effect. Merepeople have been know to adhere them around their necks like jewelry. Though I would caution anyone addressing a Mereperson wearing a Firefly Squid. Beacuse it's hard to tell if any of the photophores have been removed, until it's too late, Merepeople who wear them are often....how can I say this...of lesser social standing?....Well, they should not be trusted. They tend to manipulate others into doing what they want."

Pausing for a moment, the Headmaster says, "Now are there any other questions before I assign homework?"

"Oops, sorry about that Amy...to answer your question, there have been no discoveries to date for the use of Firefly Squid photophores in any potions. That is to say that aren't any....just no one has discovered any significant uses for them. This goes for thier eggs as well.

Anything else?"

Selena took down notes

Serena took down the notes, fascinated at the connection with the Merpeople. "Has anyone besides Merpeople been able to use the photophores?" ask Serena raising her hand.

munnie raised her hand again realizing that the proffesor probably didnt hear her, " professor can the can these firefly squids protect themselves by using thier body light to blind thier enemies and make an excape if they were in danger?"

"No, not to my knowledge. The use of photophores are limited to Merepeople."

"No, the light from their photophores is not sufficient enough to 'blind' a would be attacter.

Now, if there are no more questions, I will assign some homework.Homework is due to me by Friday the 4th of March."

He turned to the board and pointed at a piece of chalk.

"Lucubrationis."

The chaulk began to write out the homework assignment...

1. Give a general description of the Chimera pup and it’s significant features, habitat and magical abilities.
2. Describe, very briefly, the life cycle of the Fire Lobster and the significance of Fire Lobster eggs. Where are they found and what are their uses plus any interesting facts that surround them.
3. What is a Gunard and where can they be found?
4. Describe the magical abilities of the Firefly Squid and any significance surrounding them.

Homework is to be sent to profhendrik@hotmail.com and not to my office. Please be sure to include your member ID# when submitting your homework so that proper credit can be assigned. OOC: To get your member ID# hover your mouse over your screen name and look in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. You should see a link to the site that ends with "...u='some number'. That number is your member ID#. Mine is 8344.