SC0MBRES0CID7E. 
357 
THE GREAT FLYING-FISH. 
EXOCOETUS VOLITANS. 
Fig. 94. 
Pectoral Jins only slightly ( never more than Vs) shorter than the length, of the trunk , the second ray branched , 
the third ray the longest. Ventral fins inserted in front of the middle-point of the trunk ( nearer to the head than 
to the base of the caudal fin), and their tip ( when folded) extending to about, the end of the base of the anal fin. 
The dorsal fin begins somewhat in front of the perpendicular from the vent , its height in front ( the length of the 
second ray) being equal to that of the preoperculum, {or the toted height, of the operculum and sub operculum). 
Beginning of the anal fin situated, below the 5th , 6th or 7tli ray of the dorsal fin , its base much shorter than that 
of the dorsal fin a and the height about 2 / 3 of the base. Length of the upper lobe of the caudal fin from the base 
of the first supporting ray b about, equal to that of the head , and the lower lobe half as long again. Coloration 
like that of the Herring or Gray Mullet , lustrous steel-blue on the back , silvery on the sides and belly; pectoral 
fins bluish gray , in young specimens darker, more bluish on the inside , with uhite margin and in young specimens 
with a white transverse band; dorsal fin whitish gray, caudal fin brown, ventral and, anal fins whitish blue. 
Fig. 94. Exocoetus volitans, q 71 , 3 /s of the natural size. From the Mediterranean. 
R. br. 10 1. 11; D. 1 ; A. - — , ; P. — ; V. 6; 
10 — 12 8 — 10(?) 14—17 
C. *+13+ x. 
Syn. Exocoetus, Art., Descr. Spec. Pise., p. .35; Exocoetus pinnis 
ventralibus longioribus: . . . Gron. Zoophyl. (1763) p. 116; 
Exocoetus quadriremis, Gron. mss. ed. Gray, p. 145. 
“ In young specimens about °/ 9 of the base of the dorsal fin, in older ones about 3 / i thereof. 
6 According to Steindachner. 
