THE GAR-FISH. J2I 



own element fc.r that of the finny race, to dive through the water with such marvellous 

 address that they can chase and capture even the swift and active fishes, and can remain 

 submerged for a much longer period than the Flying-fish can remain in the air. Flying and 

 swimming are indeed convertible terms, as are wings and fins, wings being the fins of 'the 

 air, and fins the wings of the waters. 



It is well known that the flight of this fish is short and intermittent, the creature being 

 obliged to dip into the sea after its sweep through the air, and the cause of this necessity 

 is said to be the drying of the fin-membranes, which prevents the fish from sustaining 

 itself in the air, inasmuch as it leaps with fresh vigour into the atmosphere after 

 being refreshed by a dip in the water. I cannot but think, however, that one reason of 

 the intermittent flight is simply that the original impetus is exhausted, and that the 

 fish requires to seek the water in order to obtain a fresh start. There may, perhaps, be 

 another reason. 



It has already been mentioned that the climbing perch, and other fish of similar habits, 

 possess certain reservoirs of water, which constantly bathe the gills, and thus oxygenize 

 the blood in the same method that is adopted when the body is entirely submerged in the 

 waters. Now, the Flying-fish possesses no such reservoir, and the question therefore 

 arises, whether the passage through the air may not act powerfully on the blood by 

 supplying it with an excess of oxygen, and, through the blood, upon the nervous system, 

 producing a kind of temporary delirium or intoxication. It would be an interesting experi- 

 ment to catch a Flying-fish after its flight, and test the temperature of the blood with a 

 trustworthy instrument, and also to ascertain the length of time that a Flying-fish can 

 survive when removed from the water. 



Perhaps some of my readers may have the opportunity of making these investigations, 

 and of solving some of the countless divine enigmas which surround us. It may be that 

 if the full history of the Flying-fish were discovered, we should find therein not only the 

 operations of nature as exemplified in the individual species, but discover enshrined within 

 the limits of that delicate framework the deepest mysteries of vitality, health, and a 

 material locomotion of which we have as yet hardly dreamed. 



About thirty species of Flying-fish are known, mostly belonging to the Mediterranean 

 Sea, but others occur in the North Sea, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 



BEFORE proceeding to our next figured example of the finny tribes, we must briefly 

 notice a curious fish which seems to be a kind of balance to the sword-fish already 

 mentioned, the " sword " in this instance belonging to the lower instead of the upper 

 jaw, and being formed by a prolongation of its bones. It is known by the scientific name 

 of Hemiramphus argenteus, and is found near the surface of the water in the Pacific Ocean. 

 Its colour is uniform silvery white, and its average length is only four inches. 



THE odd-looking GAR -FISH is known by a vast variety of names, such as SEA PIKE, 

 MACKAREL GUIDE, SEA-NEEDLE, LONG-NOSE, GORE-BILL, HORNFISH, and GREENBONE, the last- 

 mentioned title being given to it because, when it is boiled, its bones are of a bright green 

 hue. The name of Mackarel Guide is owing to the fact that its spawning season exactly 

 precedes that of the mackarel, and the other names explain themselves. 



This is one of the marine fish, and is sometimes taken and sent to market, generally 

 causing some little excitement as its long pointed head and brightly coloured body lie 

 shining on the dealer's table. It is not, however, extensively captured, on account of a 

 senseless prejudice which exists in many parts against the fish, the green hue of the spine 

 being its probable cause. Despite of prejudice, the fish is an excellent one, and when 

 properly dressed is not unlike eel, but is not so rich. 



It is a voracious and bold-biting fish", taking almost any animal substance used as bait, 

 and seizing it so strongly that it hooks itself without any trouble to the angler. To those 

 who fish for their living, and not merely for sport, the Gar-fish behaves in a very agreeable 

 manner; for instead of plunging about when it feels the hook, and by its struggles 

 frightening all other fishes away, it gives one strong pull when it finds itself checked, and 

 then resigns the contest, hanging quietly until released by the fisherman. As a number 

 3. Y 



