TO PRETORIA. 3 



several species near Madeira, and here Exoccetus* 

 lineatus, the largest species, is found ; further south the 

 flying-fish are more numerous, but smaller in size. This 

 fish is certainly the most prolific of any to be found in the 

 warmer parts of the ocean, and its numbers are simply 

 prodigious. All day, and presumably all night, as the 

 vessel ploughs its course, it constantly disturbs and 

 disperses the fish, which in these parts must universally 

 populate the surface waters. I have frequently spent 

 considerable time looking over the bows of vessels, and 

 watched the almost incessant flight of the frightened 

 creatures as the ship, like a monstrous enemy, tore 

 through their midst. In recent years much attention 

 lias been paid to the question as to whether these 

 Exoccetans flap their wings during flight, or simply 

 skim with expanded wings from the initial velocity 

 with which they leave the water. My own observa- 

 tions certainly incline to the last opinion, and that the 

 rising of the fish was coincident with a rapid movement 

 of the tail, which always more or less reminded one of 

 the action of the blade of a steamer's screw. This can 

 also be frequently observed when the fish at the end of 

 its flight apparently observes a lurking enemy f, and 

 just touching the water, the action of its tail can be 

 again noticed preparatory to a fresh escape from the 

 sea. There can be little doubt that the flight of this 

 fish is always of a protective character, and is scarcely 

 undertaken for any pleasure or relaxation. A ship 

 must appear as a hideous monster, and add to the many 

 terrors in the lives of these abundant animals : some are 

 more alarmed than others, for many of them will again 

 take to the water but a short distance from the vessel, 



* This generic name is derived from a curious belief of the ancients, who 

 were under the impression that these "sea swallows," as they called the 

 flying-fishes, left the ocean at night aud slept on shore, in order to be free 

 iiom their enemies. From this practice of "sleeping out" they were named 

 Exocceti. 



t Pigafetta witnessed this in 1520, and quaintly wrote: "Meanwhile 

 their enemies follow their shadow, and arriving at the spot where they fall, 

 seize upon them and devour them a thing marvellous and agreeable to see." 



fi'2 



