FLYING-FISHES 



235 



noticed, are enabled, by reason of the 

 great development of the breast-fins, 

 to take extended journeys through 

 the air. The flight of these fishes 

 is, however, not quite the same as 

 true flight, inasmuch as the fins serve 

 mainly as a parachute, and do not, by 

 sustained vigorous movements, propel 

 the body through the air, like the 

 \\ings of bats and birds. Darting out 

 of the water when pursued by an 

 enemy or frightened by a passing 

 vessel, these fish are borne along 

 by the wind, the speed at first being 

 very considerable, exceeding indeed 

 that of a ship going ten miles an 

 hour. At a single flight they may 

 cover as much as 500 feet, but are 



P)M, h A. X. Rudland & Sin, 



FLYING-FISH 



More than forty distinct species of this family are knoiurt 



quite unable to steer themselves, 



except when, during their course, the tail-fin is immersed in the water, when by a stroke 

 from one side to the other the direction may be changed from left to right, or vice versA, 

 as the case may be. By day they will avoid ships, but by night, when they are unable to 

 see, " they frequently fly," writes Dr. Giinther, " against the weather-board, where they are 

 caught by the current of air and carried upwards to a height of 20 feet above the surface 

 of the water, while under ordinary circumstances they keep close to it." 



CHAPTER VI 



THE WRASSE-LIKE FISHES 



BY W. P. PYCRAFT, A.L.S., F.7..S. 



THE members of the four families noticed in this chapter are remarkable for their won- 

 derful coloration. The species of the first family, from their peculiarly striking re- 

 semblance to the Scaly-finned group, share with them the name of CORAL-FISHES. This 

 resemblance is a very remarkable one. Occurring, like the Scaly-fins, more abundantly in the 

 neighbourhood of coral-reefs, they also resemble the latter not only in shape, but also in colora- 

 tion, the same pattern being often common to members of both families. 



To this family belongs the remarkable fish known as the AMPHIPRION, which makes its 

 home in the interior of an enormous species of sea-anemone measuring 2 feet across. When 

 first discovered by Mr. Saville-Kent, it was believed that the fish had been swallowed a view, 

 however, which was speedily rejected, when it was found that, if ejected by means of a stick, 

 it invariably returned. Thus the anemone is obviously to be regarded as host, and not as 

 captor. More than this, from the facts so far to hand, it appears that this strangely assorted 

 pair are mutually dependent on one another, at least to a large extent the fish undertaking 

 to supply the larder, whilst the anemone in return affords shelter from enemies. The part 

 played by each is as follows: The fish, which is very conspicuous, wearing a livery of 

 vermilion crossed by three bands of white, sallies forth and swims about till it attracts the 

 attention of some other carnivorous member of its class, on which, if it gives chase, the 

 amphiprion returns with all speed to its living cave, and quickly disappears down its mouth. 

 The pursuer, blundering against the outspread tentacles, is immediately paralysed by a shower 



