109 



COMMON FLYING-FISH. 



Exocetus volitans, PENNANT. 



PLATE VIII. 



OF which specimens appear occasionally to have 

 been met with on the British coasts, though cer- 

 tainly only of occasional occurrence. There are 

 several species, possessing nearly an equal develope- 

 ment of those fins which seem to occur in different 

 ranges of latitude, and not to stir beyond their 

 bounds, with as much regularity as we find in the 

 distribution of the other vertebrated classes. By 

 many authors, this power of the Exoceti has been 

 pourtrayed as actual flying, that is, propelling 

 themselves forward by the motion of their fins or 

 wings, after they had risen from the waters. The 

 later and most to be credited testimonies go mostly 

 to confute this ; and it seems pretty evident, that it 

 is the first impulse or spring from the water which 

 is the propelling power, and that the breadth and 

 volume of the fins supports them so long as the 

 moisture continues : a very interesting account of 

 the manners of one of these fishes will be found in 

 Mr. Bennett's Wanderings, and the above, we be- 



