158 Lt.-Col. C. D. Durnfoid on 



Ta nua pa Uida , s j:) . 1 1 . 



(^ . Body and legs very pale tawny brown ; pronotum with 

 a central pale ociiraceous fascia, on each side of which is a 

 short longitudinal black discal spot, the sublateral fissure 

 black and the anterior fissure brown (these dark markings 

 apparently absent in female) ; mesonotum with two obsolete 

 obconical spots, whicli are only defined by their somewhat 

 darker margins, a small black spot on each side of cruciform 

 elevation ; abdomen finely palely ])ilose, somewhat in tufts on 

 lateral margitis ; tegmina and wings hyaline, t!ie venation 

 and costal membrane of the first pale ochraceous ; opercula 

 small, subtriangular, just passing the base of abdomen ; 

 rostrum reaching the posterior coxae; a single tubercle on 

 each side of second abdominal segment; face moderately 

 globose and strongly centrally striate. 



Long., excl. tegm., ^ Id, $ 17 mm.; exp. tcgm., (^ 55, 

 ? 62 mm. 



Uab, North Borneo ; Sulu Islands, Jolo. 



XXI. — Flying-jlsh FUgJit, and an Unfixed Law of Nature. 

 ' By Lt.-Col. C. D. Durnford. 



The controversy amongst naturalists as to whether flj'ing- 

 fish do or do not flap their wings in flight has become so 

 one-sided as almost to represent extinction — as a controversy. 



It is desirable, if possible, to revive it a little, by carrying 

 the argument into new ground : first, because the one side 

 which is at present believed in would appear to be the wrong 

 one ; and, secondly, because it seems to have escaped the notice 

 of the other that this is capable of proof. 



The arguments, if they may be so called, hitherto in use 

 are simple assertion and denial, and may be summed up 

 into : — 



*' Flying-fisb do fly, moving their wings with extreme 

 rapidity. I have carefully and frequently watched 

 them, and there can be no doubt whatever about it." 



And the converse : — 



" Flying-fish do not flap their wings, but use them 

 as aeroplanes, like swallows when in skimming or sailing 

 flight. I have carefully and frequently watched them, 

 and there can be no doubt whatever about it." 



ISomewhat similar remarks will be heard in any ordinary 



