476 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
above the surface of the water by more than two or three feet, 
continued for ten to thirty or forty seconds, and extending a 
distance of one to eight or more hundred feet, can be due to the 
impetus gained by a single spring combined with the parachute- 
like action of the fins, seems to me, aside from the oft-repeated 
testimony of my eyes, quite incredible. 
It is maintained, however, by Prof. Mobius, in the article before 
mentioned, that the pectorals of the Flying-fish execute no flapping 
movement during flight; and this view is based not only on the 
author’s observation of the flight of many Hvoceti and one Dacty- 
lopterus, but also on anatomical and physiological grounds. 
No one, so far as I know, has undertaken so elaborate a 
discussion of this question, and approached it from so many 
different standpoints as Prof. Mobius; and his conclusions will, 
on this very account, undoubtedly command the assent of many 
naturalists who have had no opportunity to settle the question 
for themselves. It is not, therefore, surprising to find that Prof. 
Bardeleben, in his review of this paper, in Hofman and 
Schwalbe’s ‘Jahresberichte uber die Fortschritte der Anatomie 
und Physiologie’ (vol. vii., part 1, p. 129), appears to accept as 
conclusive the opinion so ably maintained by Prof. Mobius. Had 
I not seen many times with my own eyes, under circumstances 
so favourable as to forbid all manner of doubt in my own mind, 
the flapping of these fins, I might have accepted the conclusions 
of the German naturalist, and overlooked the assailable points of 
the arguments adduced in their support; but with the positive 
assurance that he is in error on the main question, I have been 
led to question the validity of some of his interpretations of 
facts. That I have fairly stated the position of this author in 
regard to the function of the pectoral fins of the Flying-fish will 
appear evident from the following citations :— 
“Tf during the entire flight the pectoral fins of flying fishes 
actually made motions similar to those of the wings of bats, 
birds, and insects, one would be able to perceive them quite as well 
as the strokes of equally large wings of bats and birds” (p. 358). 
This statement is open to the objection that it entirely ignores 
the fact that the colour of the fins, the rapidity and sweep of 
their vibrations have a vast deal to do with the question whether 
the fin-strokes would be as easily recognised as the wing-strokes 
of the bird or bat. 
