20ti 



THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 



escaping from the pursuit of the bonitos and albacores, often, 

 however, leads to their destruction in another element, where 



gulls and frigate- 

 birds frequently 

 seize them with 

 , lightning-like ra- 

 7 pidity, ere they fall 

 back again into the 

 ocean. It is amus- 

 ing to observe a 

 bonito swimming 

 beneath the feeble 

 aeronaut, keeping 

 him steadily in view, and preparing to seize him at the moment 

 of his descent. But the flying-fish often eludes the bite of his 

 enemy, by instantaneously renewing his leap, and not unfre- 

 quently escapes by extreme agility. 



The specific gravity of the flying-fish can be most admirably 

 regulated in correspondence with the element through which it 

 may move. The swim-bladder, when distended, occupies nearly 

 the entire cavity of the abdomen, thus containing a large volume 

 of air ; and in addition to this, there is a membrane in the 

 mouth which can be inflated through the gills. The pectoral 

 fins, though so large when expanded, can be folded into an 

 exceedingly slender, neat, and compact form, so as to be no- 

 hindrance to swimming. A light displayed from the chains 

 of a vessel in a dark night, will bring many flying-fishes on 

 board, where they are esteemed as a great delicacy. Their 

 fate, thus to be persecuted in both elements and to find security 

 nowhere, has often been pitied in prose and verse ; but although 

 they excite so much sentimental commiseration, they are them- 

 selves no less predaceous than their enemies, feeding chiefly on 

 smaller fishes. 



The flying-fish of the West Indian waters is frequently 

 allured by the tepid waters of the Gulf-stream into higher lati- 

 tudes, and Pennant cites several examples of its having been 

 found near the British coast. 



The Flying-Gurnard {Trigla volitans) of the Mediterranean, 

 Atlantic, and Indian seas, a highly singular and beautiful species, 

 also raises itself into the air by means of its large pectoral fins, 



