Bait and Grounds 415 
fins, a tremulous or flapping motion, at the same 
time they are “ flapped” in an attempt to aid the 
fish in getting out of the water; but the moment 
the fish clears the water the fins are fixed and 
do not move; they are mere supporters, the fish 
being an animated parachute, or aéroplane. 
The only motion the winglike fins have is a flut- 
tering of the edges when the wind is strong and 
ahead. The pectorals may be said to be locked ; 
so are the ventrals, which also present a wide sur- 
face and aid in bearing up the fish. The latter 
moves until its inertia is exhausted, then the tail 
drops until it touches the surface, whereupon it 
is whirled furiously about again, forcing the fish 
into the air; and in this way it can travel for 
a fourth of a mile, then falling heavily with a 
crash, not entering the water head first. The fish 
has a very limited power of changing its direction. 
I have repeatedly had them pass over my boat, 
have been struck, and have seen them strike 
others; have watched the fish in passing a few 
inches from my face, and have waved my hat at 
it, all of which had no effect upon its movements 
or the direction in which it was soaring. From a 
large steamer I marked the course of flying-fishes 
as they rose, and several struck it. 
