THE COMMON FLYING-FISH. 



443 



OF THE FLYING-FISH IN GENERAL. 



The head is covered with scales, and the mouth is destitute of teeth. 



These fish chiefly inhabit the seas of hot climates; but they are 

 occasionally found within the temjjerate regions. There are only three 

 knowu species. 



rttlNO FISH. 



THE COMMOX FLYIXG-FISH. 



The Flying-fish has numerous enemies in its own element ; the 

 Dorado, the Thuuny, an<l many others, pursue and devour it. To aid 

 its escape, it is furnished with its long pectoral fins; and by means of 

 these it is able to raise itself into the air, where it is often seized by 

 the Albatross or tropic birds. Its flight is short, seldom more than 

 sixty or seventy yards at a time, but, by touching the surface at 

 intervals to moisten its fins, it is able to double or treble this distance. 

 The whole flight, however, is of so short a duration, that even in the 

 hottest weather, its fins do not become dry. By touching the water 



it not only wets its fins, but seems to take 



fresh force and vigor, for another spring 



into an element, where it is not long able 



to support its weight by the motion of 



its fins. If the Flying-fishes were solitary 



animals they would not be worth the pursuit 



of some of their larger enemies: they are 



seldom seen to rise singly from the water, but generally appear in 



large shoals. 



It has been inconsiderately remarked, that all " animated nature seema 



flTlNO-nSB. 



