FLYlNG-flSH. 527 



life : in its own element it is perpetually harassed by the dorado 

 and other fish of prey ; and if it endeavour to avoid them by 

 having recourse to the air, it either meets its fate from the gull and 

 albatross, or is forced down again into the mouth of the inha- 

 bitants of the water which keep pace with its aerial excursion. " 

 This however ought to be considered as an exaggerated represen- 

 tation of the creature's state of existence, since, by the admirable 

 balance ordained by nature, the weaker animals have powers of 

 escape in exact proportion to their danger.* 



It should be observed, that this power of flight or temporary 

 skimming through the air to a considerable distance, is not entirely 

 confined to this genus, but takes place in some species of the genus 

 scorpasna, as well as in that of trigla, and various others, as tho 

 reader may perceive in the prosecution of the present section. 



The general length of the Mediterranean flying-fish is from 

 twelve to fifteen or sixteen inches; and its general shape is not 

 unlike that of a herring : the body is subcylindrieal but with a 

 slight approach to square, if a transverse section be supposed : the 

 head is rather large, and sloping pretty suddenly in front: the 

 mouth small, and edged on both jaws with minute, pointed teeth : 

 the eyes large, and of a silver colour with a cast of gold : the 

 scales are large, thin, and rounded : the whole animal is of a bright 

 silvery cast, with a blue or dusky tinge on the upper part : the 

 fins are also of a dusky colour : of these the pectoral extend as 

 far as the beginning of the tail, and are of a sharply lanceolate 

 form : the dorsal and anal fins are shallow, and placed opposite 

 each other near the tail, which is deeply forked with sharp. pointed 



* To this purpose I may quote the observation of an ingenious gentleman 

 (Capt. G. Tobin), who had frequent opportunities of observing the habits of 

 the flying-fish, and who thus expresses himself in a note annexed to a drawing 

 of this species observed about the coasts of Otalieitee. " The lower half of 

 the tail, in the flying-fish, is full twice the length of the upper : the use of it 

 has always appeared evident to me. I have by the hour watched the dolphins 

 and bonitos in pursuit of them ; when, without wholly immersing themselves, 

 which would have proved fatal to them, they have disposed in their progressive 

 motion the lower part of the tail in such a manner as to supply their wings 

 with moisture, so as to support them above the surface. I never saw one ex- 

 ceed the distance of one hundred yards in its flight, without being obliged to 

 dip for a fresh supply." 



