PLYING PISHES. 307 



Except that the limbs do not seem to be moved when 

 the Frog passes through the air, there is but little 

 difference between the structure of the bat' a wing and 

 the membrane of the Flying Frog, each being nothing 

 but an existing membrane developed and expanded by 

 being attached to the lengthened toes. In order, also, 

 to assist in the buoyancy of the creature, the body is 

 capable of considerable inflation. 



In life it is a very handsome species. The back is 

 rich deep green, and the under surface yellow. The 

 webs are black, adorned with streaks of yellow. 



Probably these enormously developed feet are used 

 foi* swimming as well as for flight, and in that case they 

 will form a remarkable analogy with the wings of the 

 extinct Pterodactyls, which are proved with tolerable 

 certainty to be organs adapted to the water as well as 

 to the air. 



FLYING FISHES. 



Passing from the reptiles to the next class of 

 beings, we come to the Fishes, and shall find among 

 them several examples of air trespassers. 



The first in order of these creatures is necessarily 

 the Flying Fish (Exocoetus volitans), which we will 

 take as an example of some thirty species, all re- 

 sembling each other in general form and habits. They 

 are only found in the warmer seas, and Mr. Bennett, 

 who has observed these fishes very carefully, states 

 that he has never seen them further north than lat. 

 36 N. 



