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THE FLIGHT OF FLYING FISH. 

 By Lionel E. Adams, B.A. 



One would think that the method of flight in Flying Fish 

 had been the subject of observation sufficiently long to enable 

 naturalists to come to some definite opinion thereon, especially 

 as the phenomenon is of such common occurrence in tropical 

 and subtropical waters. We find in the ' Boyal Natural History,' 

 vol. v. p. 402, the editor's summing up of the question as follows : 

 It is " well ascertained that the continuance of the flight is due 

 to the original impetus of the leap from the water, and is not 

 prolonged by the flapping of the fins." This statement is thus 

 qualified further on : " From my own observation I am, how- 

 ever, of opinion that the pectoral fins are vibrated rapidly on 

 first leaving the water for a few seconds, doubtless from a con- 

 tinuation of the swimming motion while in the water, after which 

 they become entirely motionless," the writer suggesting that this 

 vibration is due to the continuance of the action initiated while 

 the fish was still immersed, and that this movement does not 

 assist the flight. 



After this pronouncement from so high an authority I should 

 not venture to trouble you on the subject, if the evidence of my 

 own repeated and often prolonged observation did not differ 

 materially from what has just been quoted. 



One rarely has the opportunity to observe adult Flying Fish 

 swim, as they are very shy of a boat ; but I have often picked 

 up fish just as they have come on board, and put them into a 

 bath to study their movements. When in the water they never 

 use their wings (I use the term "wings" for convenience) to 

 swim with, but hold them close to their sides ; the tail, however, 

 vibrates, sending them with a rush against the side of the bath, 

 which generally stuns them, and they never recover ; but I have 

 noticed that if their rush takes them along the length of the 

 bath, and they have room to show an attempt to rise from the 



