44 
FISHES. 
directions, against, with, and at different angles with, the waves and wind, but most 
frequently against both. I could never perceive them communicating an up-and-down 
motion to their pectoral fins, nor ever to go along without having them extended at 
nearly right angles with the body. When already on the wing, they seldom change 
entirely their original course, and their rising higher is never effected rapidly, but 
gradually, and to a small height.” — C. 
Subsequent observations induced Mr. Lay to make the following remarks on the 
same subject: — “Perhaps it would be more consistent with the analogy of the well- 
known method of progression imparted to fishes, to assume that the momentum with 
which the Exoccetus emerges from the water is adequate to effect its demonstration of 
force, without recurring to the supposed impulse which it may receive by the reacting 
of the water against its pectoral fins. I always observed them to be most numerous 
when the sea was chafed by a brisk gale : for by rising upon the pitch of a wave, they 
were enabled to spring as it were from an eminence, and when proceeding in the direc- 
tion of the wind, they were doubtless assisted by a sort of vis a ter go, derived from the 
motion of the sea. The rising and dipping of the Flying-fish, when it is not influenced 
by the ridging of the sea, are effected by a kind of diagonal force, compounded of the 
action of the wind, and the tendency of gravitation, variously modified by the acquired 
velocity of the fish, and its efforts to elevate and depress its head. 
“ I have often seen it, when moving nearly against the wind, exercise a power of 
accommodation, and, if I may use the term on this occasion, a certain faculty of humour- 
ing and applying the antagonist forces resulting from its own weight and the sweep of 
the atmospheric current. 
“ These observations will always be made intelligible by accounting for the motion 
of a ship when sailing within six points of the wind, and by remembering that if, by a 
slight obliquity, an umbrella when held against the wind is allowed to fill, the first effort 
that it makes to obey the force impressed upon it, is to escape in the very direction in 
which the wind is blowing. This we know is owing to its concave form, which by 
retaining the wind receives an impulse diffused over the whole of its inferior surface. 
The fins of the Flying-fish, when expanded, are not exactly parallel to the horizon, but, 
in virtue of their sloping position, share somewhat in the nature of the umbrella and 
the bellying sail.” — L. 
“ From the small number of insects over the water in the Atlantic Ocean, I should 
not think it probable,” Mr. Collie remarks, “ that these fishes seek their food out of 
the water; nor does it appear likely that they are gifted with their so extraordinary 
power solely to enable them to escape from the rapacious Bonito.” — C. 
The rapacious Bonito itself, Scomber Pelcimys, L., was observed shortly after the 
appearance of its favourite prey. An individual, which did not die for some minutes 
after it had been brought on board, exhibited “ very brilliant colours, and changed their 
tints a little from time to time ; but these seemed to be more various and more fre- 
quently changed than they really were, on account of the spectator viewing its surface 
from different positions, whence every varying angle of the incident and reflected rays 
of light occasioned a varied tint of the bright colouring. About five minutes after it 
