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THE A M ERIC AN NA T URA LIST [Vol. XLI 



be in a state of rapid vibration, but this is apparent only, due to the 

 resistance of the air to the motions of the animal. While the tail is 

 in the water, the ventrals are folded. ^Yhen the action of the tail 

 ceases, the pectorals and ventrals are spread and held at rest. They 

 are not used as wings, but act rather as parachutes to hold the body 

 in the air. When the fish begins to fall, the tail touches the water, 

 when its motion begins again, and with it the apparent motion of the 

 pectorals. It is thus enabled to resume its flight, which it finishes 

 with a splash. W' hile in the air it resembles a large dragon-fly. The 

 motion is very swift, at first in a straight line, but later deflected into 

 a curve. The motion has no relation to the direction of the wind. 

 When a vessel is passing through a school of these fishes, they spring 

 up before it, moving in all directions, as grasshoppers in a meadow." 

 Very truly yours, 



David Starr Jordan 



February 23, 1907 



