GEN. EXOCILUS. THE FLYING-FISH. 107 



the fish has been observed in Britain, and Mr. Yar- 

 rell, for distinction-sake, has proposed it shall be 

 called Hemirampkits Europceus. 



Mr. Swainson mentions that he has examined 

 one of this species in a fresh state, captured we pre- 

 sume in tropical seas ; and detected a singular pecu- 

 liarity, hitherto unnoticed. On the sides of the 

 lower jaw, there is a thin membranaceous fringe or 

 skin, very delicate, and which is half the breadth of 

 the jaw itself. The jaw itself, he contends, is thus 

 used neither to secure its food, for its point is obtuse, 

 nor to burrow in the sand, for then this membrane 

 would be immediately destroyed. Like the other 

 members of the same family, it probably obtains its 

 food upon or near the surface of the water ; and it 

 is certainly curious that there is a genus of birds — 

 Rhyncops — whose mouth or bill is similarly con- 

 structed, and which skims along the surface of the 

 sea, to feed upon the minute creatures which have 

 here their appropriate habitat. Hence the inference 

 that these are fishes which habitually feed in the 

 same manner, and upon the same description of ani- 

 mals. (In Lardner, Cycl., Fishes, i. 301). 



Gen. LXIII. Exocilus. The fishes belonging 

 to this genus are at once distinguished from the 

 others of the order by their immense pectoral fins, 

 enabling them to support themselves in the air for a 

 short time. Tliey are possessed of scales, and are 

 somewhat keel-shaped on the flanks ; their head is 

 flat above, and compressed laterally ; the dorsal fin 

 is above the anal; the eye large; both jaws ace 



