152 



ATLANTIC CORYPH^NE, OR DOLPHIN. 



Coryphana equisitis, LINNAEUS, 



PLATE XXIII. 



WILL exhibit the general form of these fishes, and 

 the colouring so remarkable for the variation of its 

 tints ; a play of vivid green and gold and silver being 

 spread over it in various lights, arid " changing as 

 it dies," keep up in this one also the well known 

 ancient traditions. It is a native of the Atlantic 

 Ocean, and has been taken off the coast of South 

 America, and in the vicinity of St. Helena. These 

 fishes often follow in the wake of vessels, and being 

 agile and swift in their movements, when swim- 

 ming near the surface in the lustre of a clear and 

 brilliant sun, display their colours in the most 

 varied manner. They are, according to our ac- 

 counts, extremely voracious, feeding on the flying- 

 fish, which, in troops, either are passed through, or 

 follow the vessel, and at the same time they eagerly 

 seize whatever falls or is thrown from it. 



Two other species have been termed, from the 

 variety and vividness of their tints, the sea-peacock 

 and the blue-fish. But the species best known is 

 the dolphin of sailors. 



