88 



WANDERINGS IN 



Second heat of the suii has dried its pelhicid wings, and it is 



Journey. 



obhged to wet them, in order to continue its flight. It 



just drops into the ocean for a moment, and then rises 

 again and flies on ; and then descends to remoisten them, 

 and then up again into the air ; thus passing its hfe, 

 , sometimes wet, sometimes dry, sometimes in sunshine, 

 and sometimes in the pale moon's nightly beam, as 

 pleasure dictates, or as need requires. The additional 

 assistance of wings is not thrown away upon it. It has 

 full occupation both for fins and wings, as its life is in 

 perpetual danger. 



The Bonito and Albicore chase it day and night ; but 

 the Dolphin is its worst and swiftest foe. If it escape 

 into the air, the Dolphin pushes on with proportional 

 velocity beneath, and is ready to snap it up the moment 

 it descends to wet its wings. 



You will often see above one hundred of these little 

 marine aerial fugitives on the wing at once. They appear 

 to use every exertion to prolong their flight, but vain are 

 all their eftbrts ; for when the last drop of water on their 

 wings is dried up, their flight is at an end, and they must 

 drop into the ocean. Some are instantly devoured by 

 their merciless jjursuer, part escape by swimming, and 

 others get out again as quick as possible, and trust once 

 more to their wings. 



It often happens that this unfortunate little creature, 

 after alternate dips and flights, finding all its exertions of 



