FLYING GURNARD. Dactyloptena vditans. 



INDIAN FLYING GURNARD. Dactyldpterus oritntaUi. 



more lowly society in which they were born, and aspire to ascend to an elevated condition 

 for which they are not fitted by nature. 



While passing through the air, the Flying Gurnard is able slightly to change its 

 direction, but cannot prolong its flight, by flapping its finny wings. In fact, its elevation 

 into the air may be readily imitated by throwing an oyster-shell in a horizontal direction, 

 taking care to throw it in such a manner that the concavity is downwards and the 

 convexity upwards. The flight is closely analogous to that of the flying squirrels, rats, 

 and mice among mammalia, and of the flying dragon among reptiles. 



The COMMON FLYING GUENAED is brown above, passing into a beautiful rose-colour 

 below. The fins are black, variegated with blue spots, and on the tail fin the spots run 

 together so as to resemble continuous bands. Its length varies from ten to fifteen inches. 

 It is a native of the Mediterranean and warmer parts of the Atlantic, and in many parts 

 of those seas is very common. 



THE second species, the INDIAN FLYING GITENAED, is found throughout the Indian 

 Ocean and Archipelago, and on account of its habits, its singular and striking form, and 



