THE FLYING-FISH. 165 



Succeeding them are the suckers (family Caiostomidce) of 

 which Caiostomus teres is an example. 



The blind fish of the Mammoth and other caves, and of 

 adjoining wells connecting with subterranean streams, are 

 remarkable for the rudimentary state of the eyes, and con- 

 sequent loss of color. There are but two species, the more 

 common and larger being Amllyopsis spelcetis; this species 

 is viviparous. Eepresenting the family U7nhridm is the 

 mud-minnow {Melmmra Kmi, Fig. 208). 



The flying-fish represent another family. Their pectoral 

 fins are very broa(i and large. They dart from the water 

 with great speed without reference to the coui-se of the wind 

 and waves. They are said to make slight flying motions 



Fio. 208.— Mud-Minnow. 



with their pectoral and ventral fins, very rapid vibrations 

 being seen in the outstretched pectoral fins. They usually 

 fly farther against the wind than with it, or if their track 

 and the direction of the wind form an angle. Most flying- 

 fi>h which fiy against or with the wind continue in their 

 whole course of flight in the same direction in which they 

 come out of the water. If in strong winds they fly against 

 the course of the waves, then they fly a little higher; some- 

 times they cut with the tail into the crest of the waves. 

 Only such flying-fish rise to a considerable height (at the 

 highest, by chance, five metres above the surface of the 

 sea) whose course in the air becomes obstructed by a vessel. 

 In the daytime flying-fish seldom fall on the deck of the 

 ship, but mostly in the night; never in a calm, but only 

 ■when the wind blows. 



