112 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY. 



passing close to the vessel. (I. C. W. December 2, 

 1825.)" These notices satisfactorily prove that Fly- 

 ing-fish have been repeatedly seen on our shores ; 

 but, like Mr. Pennant's instance, they are all equi- 

 vocal, and hence are introduced under this species, 

 chiefly to provoke additional investigation into their 

 character and history. 



(Sp. 122.) E. exiliens. The Great Flying-fish. 

 Upon the authority of Mr. Couch we learn that a 

 Flying-fish of this species threw itself on the quay 

 at Plymouth, and another on the sandy margin 

 of Helford river, near Falmouth, two miles from 

 the open sea, where it was found while yet living. 

 These fish have both been preserved, and Mr. Couch, 

 from examination and inquiry, considers them as 

 both belonging to the present species. It is readily 

 known by the elongated ventral fins, which are 

 placed far backwards, while, in the species we have 

 just noticed, these fins are short, and placed not 

 far behind the origin of the pectorals. This greater 

 Flying-fish attains the length of eighteen inches, and 

 is very common in the Mediterranean. The upper 

 part of the body is a fine blue colour ; the lower 

 part silvery white ; the lateral line is placed very 

 low down, nearly parallel to the ventral profile ; 

 the pectoral fins are very large, and of a fine trans- 

 parent blue colour; the ventral fins are long and 

 rounded at the end ; the lower lobe of the tail is 

 the longer. The flesh is rich, and said to be more 

 delicate than that of the herring. 



