THE GURNARD. 



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Its color is red like that of the red Gurnard. Nearly all the rays of the first dorsal fin 

 are extremely elongated, and, together with the mailed body, the armed head, and the 

 double snout, give to the fish a most singular aspect. The total length of the Mailed 

 Gurnard is about two feet. 



THE two extraordinary and beautiful fishes which are represented in the accompany- 

 ing illustration are remarkable, not only for the very great development of the pectoral 

 fins, their muscles and attachments, but for the unexpected use to which those mem- 

 bers are occasionally subservient. 



These fishes, together with one or two other species, hereafter to be described, pos- 

 sess the power of darting from the water into the air, and by the mingled force of the 

 impetus with which they spring from the surface, and the widely spread wing-like fins, 

 to sustain themselves for a short space in the thinner element, and usurp for a time 

 the privileges of the winged beings whose trackless path is through the air. 



ORIENTAL GURNARD.- Per/stetfius orientate. 



The object of exercising these strange powers seems to be, not the pleasure of the 

 fish, but the hope of escaping from the jaws of some voracious monster of the deep, 

 whose sub-aquatic speed is greater than that of the intended victim, but whose limited 

 powers are incapable of raising it into the air. Foremost among these persecutors is 

 the coryphene, often called the dolphin by sailors, and which is the so-called " dolphin " 

 whose colors glow with such changeful beauty during its death pangs. 



Little, however, do the powers of flight avail the unfortunate fish, for winged foes, 

 known by the name of albatros, frigate-bird, and similar titles, are hovering above in 

 waiting for their prey, and no sooner does the Gurnard launch itself fairly into the 

 air, and so escape the open jaws of the pursuer coryphene, than the albatros swoops 

 down with extended wings, snatches up the fish in its beak, and without altering the 

 bold and graceful curve in which it has made the stoop, sweeps up again into its airy 

 height, where it wheels on steady wing awaiting another victim. 



Between the hungry coryphene below, and the voracious albatros above, the poor 

 Flying Gurnard leads no very happy life, and its intermediate existence, persecuted on 

 either side, has been often employed as a type of those unfortunate persons who are 

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