74 



THE A M ERIC A N NA T LIRA LIST [Vol. XLI 



as eveji [my italics] birds do this." shows his mechanical freedom. 

 In a paper dated Oct. 2Sth, IDOf), Bri^ '(lalilee,' North Pacific 

 Ocean, Dr. J. Hohart Egbert, (^irnegie Kxpchtion, writes (' Forest 

 and Stream/ Jan. 27th, 190()): " Tliouo-li slill denied l)y some 

 observers, the power of propnlsion throiioh the air l)y means of 

 its fin-wings is generally accorded tlic flying-fish.' During months 

 at sea in the tropics the writer has ahnost daily watcluvl the flying- 

 fishes and studied their flight through the air. . . . The difficul- 

 ties of assiu-ing- oneself that the flying-fish moves its winu's during 

 its flight through the air are well under.!.. od, an<l aUo (he fact 

 lhat the^e diflicultie^ arr uvneralK r(Mn.)\<Ml wiicn opportuniix 

 is afhmlnl ..f ob.erxing th(^ flight of ccrlain of \hv lar-vr ^pvrw. 

 mider favorable conditions. That (lyino--fishes use their winus 



can hardly be denied, since from the fo'c's'le head of a shij) plying 



water almo.st mider the xcssel's bow. Tlils llappiiiu' motion of the 



of the appendages .so rapid as lo be ainiosi bcvond human \ isnal 

 perception." 



Quite so. That is thr to-be-expcct.-.l liiuht of an (exceptionally 

 low-ratio flyer having sp(>cial addc<l nalnral disai.ilities. Before 

 long it will l)e the accej.tcd one for flyinu-dsli. 



More about the Pectoral Mii.srlrs. 



Since writing the foregoing I have received a connnunication 

 from Prof. C. Stewart, F. R. S., Conservator of the Mnseinn of 

 the Royal College of Surgeons, who kindly gives me permission 

 to u.se the rcsuhs of a di.s.section ma.h- at the Mu>enni for the pm- 

 po.se of comparing the pectoral mu>eles of the (lying-fish with 

 those of a nearly related iK.n-flying (ish. 



I quote from the letter of Mr. liurne, who made the dis-^eciion : - 



>A little preniutiire. if Xutural Hi.storios and I'hu-yclopiEdiu.s are any indi- 



