142 SKIPPER. 



they usually keep in the open sea, where they are continually 

 in motion, in doing which they are exposed to the fate, as in 

 some degree they exhibit the habits of the Flying Fish, for 

 which it is probable they have been mistaken by observers 

 who have had no more than a general knowledge of the 

 habits of these species. They are followed and persecuted by the 

 Porpoise, and the more swift and energetic Tunny and Bonito, 

 which appear to devour many of them; and in their eagerness 

 to escape multitudes are seen to mount to the surface, to 

 which the particular construction of the pectoral fin is well 

 fitted to guide them, and there they crowd on each other as 

 they press forward. Under the impulse of terror they spring 

 to the height of several feet — leap over each other in singular 

 confusion, and then again sink out of sight. But the pursuers 

 again shew themselves, and they mount again, and rush along 

 the surface for more than a hundred feet in a continued 

 efibrt, without the body for a moment being lost sight of, 

 and, as it would appear, by the instant but repeated touch 

 on the water of the pectoral fins, and those which lie along 

 the under part of the body. 



It is this rapid and straightforward action which has procured 

 for this fish the name of Sea Mouse, and which is so well 

 described by the Greek writers Oppian and ^lian, as practised 

 by a fish they have called Hierax or Hirax, the (Sea) Hawk, 

 that I have come to the conclusion of its being the species 

 formerly understood by that name. Referring to the creatures 

 of the ocean that are able to fly, the Greek poet compares 

 together the Flying Cuddle Fish, Sieve, or Kteuthis, Sea 

 Swallow or Chelidon, and the Hirax, or Sea Hawk. 



When ravenous foes pursue they conscious rise, 



And court the kind protection of the skies. 



Far on unfeathered wings the Sieves are borne; 



Sea swallows lower fly. * * * 



But cautious Hawks, tho' winged, will nearer keep, 



And, hovering, o'er the wavy surfa^ce sweep. 



They rinse their moisten'd win^s as close they skim, 



Both elements enjoy, and, flying, swim. 



Oppian. 



And ^lian, B. 9, C. 45, so nearly says the same thing, that it 

 might be supposed one of these writers had copied from the 

 other. The Hierax, says he, is accustomed to raise itself so 



