572 



THE OCEAN WOKLD. 



wings, however, are neither long nor powerful, for they rather act the 

 part of a parachute than wings. The distinguishing characteristic of 

 the Exocoetus, or flying-fish, is the pectoral fins, nearly the length of the 

 body, the head flattened above and on the sides, the lower part of the 

 body furnished with a longitudinal series of carinated scales on each 

 side, the dorsal fin placed above the anal, the eyes large, and the jaws 

 furnished with small pointed teeth. 



Fig. 381. Stomiaboa. 



The Flying-fishes (Fig. 382) in their own element are harassed by 

 attacks of other inhabitants of the ocean, and when under the excite- 

 ment of fear they take to the air, they are equally exposed to the 

 attacks of aquatic birds, especially the various species of gulls. We 

 have said that, in their leap from the water, their fins sustain them 

 rather as parachutes than wings, with which they beat the air. 

 Mr. Bennett's description is pretty clear on this point. "I have 

 never," he says, " been able to see any percussion of the pectoral fins 

 during flight ; and the greatest length of time I have seen this volatile 

 fish on the fly has been thirty seconds by the watch, and the longest 

 flight, mentioned by Captain Basil Hall, has been two hundred yards, 

 but he thinks that subsequent observation has extended the space. 

 The usual height of their flight, as seen above the surface of the 

 water, is from two to three feet, but I have known them come on board 



