OSSEOUS FISHES. 



573 



at the height of fourteen feet and upwards. And they have been well 

 ascertained to come into the chains of a line of battle ship, which is 

 considered to be upwards of twenty feet. But it must not be sup- 

 posed that they have the power of raising themselves into the air after 

 having left their native element ; for on watching them I have often 

 seen them fall much below the elevation at which they first rose from 

 the water ; nor have I ever in any instance seen them rise from the 

 height to which they first sprang, for I conceive the elevation they 

 take depends on the power of the first spring." 



Fig. 382. The Flying-fish (E. exiliens). 



The most common species is E. volitans. Its brilliant colouring 

 would seem designed to point it out to its enemies, against whom it is 

 totally defenceless. A dazzling silvery splendour pervades its surface. 

 The summit of its head, its back, and its sides, are of azure blue ; this 

 blue becomes spotted upon the dorsal fin, the pectoral fin, and the 

 tail. This fish is the common prey of the more voracious fishes, 



