FLYING-FISH. 



33 



to spring from it, and ''take flight;" how- 

 ever, I found it was too late, for after floating 

 about with its long pectoral fins half expanded, 

 as it remained near the surface of the water, it 

 continued alive for about the space of a minute, 

 and then died. They usually, from the violence 

 with which they come on board, receive some 

 injury against the spars, boats, or chains, suflli- 

 cient to destroy them ; and therefore it will be 

 difficult to observe their true actions as when 

 performed in full vigour in their native element. 

 This specimen measured nine inches in length. 

 What excited my attention in this fish was 

 a species of anatifa attached by its peduncle 

 to the thorax. I regard as a very unusual 

 circumstance, the existence of an anatifa at- 

 tached to a living animal, particularly one of 

 such rapidity of motion as this fish is usually sup- 

 posed to be. The height at which this fish came 

 on board could not have been less than fourteen 

 feet from the surface of the water, and on the 

 windward side of the vessel. 



The " flight" of these fish has been compared 

 to that of birds, so as to deceive the observer ; 

 however, I cannot perceive any comparison, one 

 being an elegant, fearless, and independent 

 motion, whilst that of the fish is hurried, stiff", 

 and awkward, more like a creature requiring 



VOL. I. D 



