THE FLYING FISH. 2?3 



Persecuted by fish and birds. 



last, it then has recourse to another expedient 

 for safety, by flight. The long fins, which began 

 to grow useless in the water, are now exerted in 

 a different manner and different direction to that 

 in which they were employed in swimming; by 

 this means the timid little animal rises from the 

 water, and flutters over its surface for sixty or 

 seventy yards, till the muscles employed in. 

 moving the wings are enfeebled by that parti- 

 cular manner of exertion, and the fish is obliged 

 to immerge into its own element. In a short 

 time, however, they have acquired a fresh power 

 of renewing their efforts in the water, and the 

 animal is capable of proceeding with some velo- 

 city by swimming ; but still the active enemy 

 keeps it in view, and drives it again from the 

 deep, till at length the poor little creature is seen 

 to dart to shorter distances, to flutter with greater 

 effort, and to drop down at last into the mouth 

 of its fierce pursuer ; but, should it escape from 

 its enemies of the deep, the tropic bird and the 

 albatross, the booby and the man of war, are for 

 ever on the wing to seize it. 



It has been inconsiderately remarked, that 

 " all animated nature seems combined against 

 this little fish, which possesses the double powers 

 of swimming and flying only to subject it to 

 greater dangers. If it escape its enemies of the 

 deep, it is only to be devoured by the sea fowl, 

 which are waiting its appearance in the air." Its 

 Destiny is, however, by na means peculiarly se- 



VOL. v. NO. 36. 2 M 



