FLYING-FISH. FAMILY GADIDJE. 65 



hues of the rainbow, and the graceful curves in which they 

 move at last terminated by a return to their native element, 

 from which they presently again spring up with renewed vigour. 

 These airy excursions are commonly regarded as occasioned by 

 the pursuit of Dorados, Bonitos, and other fishes of prey ; but 

 this is probably by no means the case, for the Flying-fish seem 

 frequently to .rise from the water for the mere sake of exercis- 

 ing, with pleasure to themselves, those powers of movement with 

 which they are endowed, just as we see other fishes gamboling 

 about in their usual medium. Whilst in the air, they are often 

 seized upon by the long-winged sea-birds. 



E. ANACANTHINI. 



627. The fishes of this group are distinguished by the total 

 absence of spinous rays from all the fins, and by the possession 

 of a completely closed air-bladder. Their ventral fins are usu- 

 ally present, and situated either on the breast or throat ; the 

 fishes presenting this structure were called by Cuvier Mala- 

 copteryg'd Sub-brachiati. Of the four families included in the 

 group, however, two are destitute of ventral fins. The two fami- 

 lies in which the ventral fins exist must be reckoned amongst 

 the most valuable of Fishes. In the first of these, that of the 

 GADIDVE, or the Cod tribe, the body is long, rather slender, taper- 

 ing off into a long and powerful tail ; the skin is covered with 

 small soft scales, and the fins are of large size. They live, for 

 the most part, in the seas of cold and temperate climates, and are 

 exceedingly active and voracious, feeding upon most of the 

 smaller aquatic animals. From their considerable size, and their 

 tendency to congregate in particular localities, as well as from 

 the wholesomeness and good flavour of their flesh, they are pro- 

 bably of more importance to man than any other family of Fish. 

 The Cod-fishery on the banks of Newfoundland sends a vast 

 supply to almost every part of the world ; and the amount caught 

 on the British shores is also very considerable. The appearance 

 and quality of the fish vary considerably, according to the nature 



