FLYING-FISH. 9 



swimming creatures occurred within a hundred and 

 fifty miles of the northern tropic, after our crossing 

 of which they ceased. 



The common opinion that the motion of the Flying- 

 fish through the air is nothing more than a vigorous 

 leap, sanctioned as it is by many honoured names in 

 science, I have long believed to be incorrect, having 

 on several former occasions seen what appeared to 

 me a distinct motion of the fins. To settle this 

 point was one of the desiderata which I had particu- 

 larly noted down on commencing this voyage ; and 

 the result has fully confirmed my belief. The obser- 

 vations as they occurred, I shall quote in the form 

 in which they were recorded. 



Nov. 20i?A. — Lat. 19° 24' N., long. 41° 5' W. 

 Many Flying-fishes appeared in the course of the day ; 

 the first we had observed. They were the silvery 

 species commonly seen in the Atlantic, of middling 

 size, with clear wings ; probably Exocoetus volitans. 

 I now feel certain that these fishes have power to 

 change their direction when in the air ; more than 

 one, which I saw to-day, turned aside at nearly a 

 right angle. 



Nov. 22d. — Flying-fishes leap from the sea every 



is about half an inch wide ; Guilding's P. Linneana is stated to have 

 a diameter of eleven and a half lines, exclusive of the arms. It differs 

 from glandifera also in having numerous tentacles on the disk, and 

 likewise in colour, the disk being carnation, with a blue margin be- 

 neath, and brown above. The body of Linneana is described as of a 

 ceerulean hue. P. nuda and P. appendiculata of Bosc were evidently 

 founded on imperfect specimens. 



B 5 



