178 ESOCES. 



whom have figured them, that the becuna, and 

 aureo-viriJis, are natives of this country. 



GEN. MESOGASTER. 



FLYING-FISH, Exocetus Mesogaster. The 

 body has a bright, silvery, metallic lustre ; the pec- 

 toral fins, or wings, are narrower and larger than 

 those of the Mediterranean. In the middle of the 

 abdomen are the ventral fins. 



In length, they vary from three to eight inches, 

 but are rarely seen, except in the heat of sum- 

 mer. We have various specimens, which flew on 

 board a vessel about six hours sail from land, on 

 the coast of Massachusetts. 



THE FLYING FISH. 



Such is the length and fan-like breadth of the 

 pectoral fins, that the fishes of this genus have the 

 power of rising out of the water, and flying seve- 

 ral hundred feet in a right line. This, however, 

 it is supposed, they seldom attempt, unless to es- 



