566 



THE OCEAN WORLD. 



having left their native element ; for on watching them I have often 

 seen them fall much below the elevation at which they first rose from 

 the water ; nor have I ever in any instance seen them rise from the 

 height to which they first sprang, for I conceive the elevation they 

 take depends on the power of the first spring. 



Fig. 372. — The Flying-fish (E. e.viliens); 



The most common species is E. volitans. Its brilliant colouring 

 would seem designed to point it out to its enemies, against whom it 

 is totally defenceless. A dazzling silvery splendour pervades its 

 surface. The summit of its head, its back, and its sides, are of azure 

 blue ; this blue becomes spotted upon the dorsal fin, the pectoral fin, 

 and the tail. This fish is the common prey of the sea-birds and 

 the more voracious fishes, such as the shark ; its enemies abound in 

 the air and water. If it succeeds in escaping the Charybdis of the 



