274 THE WINGED FLYING-FISH. 



end of a pole, gently passed over their head; which, 

 by a sudden jerk, draws close, and brings them to 

 land. 



THE FLYING-FISH TRIBE. 



THE head is covered with scales, and the mouth 

 is destitute of teeth. The belly is angular, and the 

 pectoral fins are almost as long as the body. 



THE WINGED FLYING-FISH*. 



The Flying-fish, if we except its head and flat 

 back, has, in the form of its body, a great resem- 

 blance to the Herring. The scales are large and 

 silvery. The pectoral fins are very long ; and the 

 dorsal fin is small, and placed near the tail, which is 

 forked. — It inhabits the European, the American, 

 and the Red seas ; but is chiefly found between the 

 Tropics. 



The wings, with which these fish have the power 

 of raising themselves into the air, are nothing more 

 than large pectoral fins, composed of seven or eight 

 ribs or rays, connected by a flexible, transparent, 

 and glutinous membrane. They have their origin 

 near the gills, and arc capable of considerable mo- 



* Synonyms. Exoccetus volitans. /,*«#.— Hi r undo, of the an- 

 cicnts.— — Penn. Brit. Zool. <vol. 3. tab. 67. 



