Bait and Grounds 415 



fins, a tremulous or flapping motion, at the same 

 time they are " flapped " in an attempt to aid the 

 fish in getting out of the water ; but the moment 

 the fish clears the water the fins are fixed and 

 do not move ; they are mere supporters, the fish 

 being an animated parachute, or aeroplane. 

 The only motion the winglike fins have is a flut- 

 tering of the edges when the wind is strong and 

 ahead. The pectorals may be said to be locked ; 

 so are the ventrals, which also present a wide sur- 

 face and aid in bearing up the fish. The latter 

 moves until its inertia is exhausted, then the tail 

 drops until it touches the surface, whereupon it 

 is whirled furiously about again, forcing the fish 

 into the air; and in this way it can travel for 

 a fourth of a mile, then falling heavily with a 

 crash, not entering the water head first. The fish 

 has a very limited power of changing its direction. 

 I have repeatedly had them pass over my boat, 

 have been struck, and have seen them strike 

 others ; have watched the fish in passing a few 

 inches from my face, and have waved my hat at 

 it, all of which had no effect upon its movements 

 or the direction in which it was soaring. From a 

 large steamer I marked the course of flying-fishes 

 as they rose, and several struck it. 



