GEN. EXOCILUS. THE FLYING-FISH. 109 



■one instance, could I observe tliem raise themselves 

 from the height to which they first sprang ; for I 

 regard the elevation they take to depend on the 

 power of the first spring or leap they make." Dr. 

 Bennett here agrees with other naturalists that the 

 movement is mainly to be considered as a vigorous 

 spring or vault, which is subsequently sustained by 

 the fins or wings as by a parachute. Mr. Swainson 

 has had numerous opportunities of witnessing the 

 feats of these fishes in their native seas, and is hence 

 the better qualified to offer judicious criticisms upon 

 the prevaling opinions on the subject. The idea that 

 the vaulting power ceases when the connecting 

 membrane of the rays dries, he remarks, is very pos- 

 sible ; but he does not think it has been determined 

 as a fact. *' It is said also that the fins are merely 

 used as parachutes, and do not as in birds, propel 

 the fish forward by repeated movements ; this again 

 admits of doubt. The flight of these fishes, though 

 short, is very rapid, almost as much as that of a 

 swallow; and every one knows, that these birds 

 "will advance far wuth little or no beating motion of 

 the wings. In crossing the line, in the year 1816, 

 we were very anxious to ascertain tliis point in the 

 economy of the Flying-fish ; but although we had 

 them before our eves almost every quarter of an 

 hour for a week, their flight was so rapid tliat, at 

 the nearest distance they ever were to the ship, we 

 found it as utterly impossible for the eye to deter- 

 mine this question, as it is to see the vibrations of 

 the wings of a fly. Our impression is that this act 



