FLYING FISHES. 313 



One of these fishes is represented in the middle of 

 Cut 14, and is shown in the act of flying, its pec- 

 toral fins being extended to the utmost. When the 

 fish is swimming, the fins are laid along the body and 

 directed downwards. I have seen the Gurnards in the 

 Crystal Palace use their fins like legs, crawling with 

 their aid upon the bed of the tank. 



The species which is shown in the illustration is 

 the common Flying Gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans), 

 and is common enough in the Mediterranean. It 

 sometimes reaches the length of fifteen inches, and is 

 altogether larger than the Flying Fish. It is a lovely 

 creature when living, its beauties, however, being 

 mostly confined to the pectoral fins. The body is 

 mostly brown, tinged with red below and on the sides. 

 The pectoral fins are black, but covered with spots 

 and mottlings of light azure, so that when spread they 

 look very much like the wings of some gorgeous 

 butterfly. 



Altogether four species of Flying Gurnards are 

 known, but the present species is a good example of 

 all four. 



Other fishes have the power of springing out of 

 the water, and shooting for some distance through 

 the air. 



There is, for example, the Gar-fish, a long, slender, 

 and almost eel-like fish, which has both its jaws drawn 

 out to a very great length, wonderfully attenuated, 

 and very sharp at the tip. Mr. Bennett, while describ- 

 ing the island of Raitea, has the following remarks 

 on this fish : " Gar-fish infest the harbours in large 

 shoals, often darting through the air in a horizontal 



