THE FLYING-FISHES 



Family XXII. Exoccetida 



FIVE genera and about 65 species of carnivorous or herbiv- 

 orous fishes, abounding in all warm seas, mostly pelagic, swimming 

 near the surface, and skipping, sailing or flying through the air, 

 sometimes for considerable distances. In our waters there are 

 about 20 species, only the following deserving any special mention 

 in this work. 



The most common species off our Atlantic Coast is Parex- 

 occetus mesogaster, which also occurs among the Hawaiian Islands. 

 It reaches a length of 7 inches. The sharp-nosed flying-fish 

 ( Fodiator aciitits), of which we present a figure, is found on both 



coasts of tropical America. It is common in the Gulf of Cali- 

 fornia, and is a good food-fish. 



The common flying-fish (Exoccetus -volitans) inhabits all warm 

 seas, on our coast north in summer to Newfoundland. 



The California flying-fish (Cypsilurus calif ornicus), of which we 

 show a figure on next page, occurs from Point Conception to Cape 

 San Lucas. It is very abundant in summer, and is found in 

 great schools about the Santa Barbara Islands. This is the only 

 flying-fish occurring on our Pacific Coast north of Cape San Lucas. 

 It reaches a length of 18 inches, being the largest flying-fish 

 known, and having the greatest power of flight. Where it goes 

 in winter has not been determined, as it has not been seen out- 



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