jtatur*. 171 



of which are, a large and long flat head, 

 rising suddenly from the muzzle ; the pre- 

 operculum furnished with an elongated 

 strong spine ; the jaws armed with masses of 

 minute conical teeth ; six branchiostegous 

 rays ; the sub-pectoral rays numerous, very 

 long, and connected by a membrane ; body 

 covered with hard carinated scales. By 

 means of their large fins, these fishes dart 

 out of the water when pursued, and are able 

 to sustain themselves in the air for several 

 seconds. There are only two species ; one, 

 the Flying Gurnard (Trig! a if >J items of Lin- 

 naeus), which inhabits the Mediterranean j 

 the other, the Da.ctyloptc.riis oricntulis of 

 Cuvier, inhabits the Indian seas. Neither 

 of these, however, must be confounded with 

 the common Flying-fish, which belongs to 

 the genus Exocetus. 



DAGGER [MOTHS]. A name given by 

 collectors to Moths of the genera Acronycta 

 and Diurna. 



DALMATIAN, DANISH, SPOTTED, or 

 COACH-DOG. This variety of the canine 

 race, known by each of the foregoing names, 

 is easily distinguished from all other species 

 by its numerous small black spots. Its form 

 is rather elegant, partaking both of the hound 



DALMATIAN BOO. 



and pointer ; its limbs are tolerably stout, 

 and its general appearance is showy. The 

 animal has, however, few claims on us for 

 its services ; neither its scent nor its sagacity 

 being such as to render it the useful com- 

 panion of man. It is kept chiefly as an 

 appendage to the carriage, and shows an 

 instinctive fondness for the stable. 



DAPHNIA. A genus of minute Crusta- 

 ceans, belonging to the order Branchiopoda ; 

 the best known and most interesting of 

 which is the Daphnia pulex (sometimes 

 termed Monoculus, from having but one eye). 

 This animalcule, which is popularly called 

 the Arborescent Water-flea, is" a favourite 

 microscopic object. The head is prolonged 

 into a snout, and provided with a single 

 central compound eye : it is also furnished 

 with antennae, which serve as oars, to propel 

 it through the water by a series of short 

 springs or jerks. The Daphnia pulex is 

 very abundant in many ponds and ditches, 

 being seen on the surface in the mornings 

 and evenings, as well as in cloudy weather ; 

 but seeking the depths of the water during 

 the heat of the day. They are extremely 

 prolific ; and when, in the summer time, 



they assume a red colour, the swarms which 

 abound in stagnant water give it the appear- 

 ance of its being occasioned by blood. In 

 this country, Dr. Baird, F. L. S., has given 

 to the world the history of Daphnia ; and its 

 congeners ; and interesting histories they are. 



DART [MOTHS]. A name given by col- 

 lectors to Moths of the genus Ayrotis* 



DART-SNAKE. [See ACONTIAS.] 

 DARTER. (Flatus.) The Darters are a 

 genus of web-footed birds, of the Pelican 

 tribe, found near the eastern coasts of the 

 tropical parts of America, and on the western 

 coast of tropical Africa. The general form 

 of their bodies is like that of the gulls : they 

 have a long slender bill, broad at the base, 

 but compressed and pointed at the tip : they 

 perch on trees by the sides of lakes, lagoons, 

 and rivers ; and, after hovering over the 

 water, they suddenly dart at their finny 

 prey with unerring aim. Their movements 

 are alike rapid and graceful. 



" The DARTER or SXAKE BIRO, (Plotus 

 melanoyastcr,)" says Wilson, " seems to have 

 derived its name from the singular form of 

 its head and neck, which at a distance might 

 be mistaken for a serpent. In those coun- 

 tries where noxious animals abound, we may 

 readily conceive that the appearance of this 

 bird, extending its slender neck through the 

 foliage of a tree, would tend to startle the 

 wary traveller, whose imagination had pour- 

 trayed objects of danger lurking in every 

 thicket. Its habits, too, while in the water, I 

 have not a little contributed to its name 



DATVTER, OR SNAKE-BIRD. 

 (PLOTOS MB1.ANOOAS1 KR ) 



It generally swims with its body immerged, 

 especially when apprehensive of danger, its 

 long neck extended above the surface, and 

 vibrating in a peculiar manner. The first 

 individual that I saw in Florida was sneak- 

 ing away, to avoid me, along the shore of a 

 reedy marsh, which was lined with alligators, 

 and the first impression on my mind was, 

 that I beheld a snake, but the recollection of 

 the habits of the bird soon undeceived me. 

 On approaching it, it gradually sank, and 

 my next view of it was at many fathoms dis- 

 tance, its head merely out of the water. To 

 pursue these birds at such times is useless, 



Q 2 



