6 
FLYING-FISH. 
It has been stated by a naturalist * * of the highest eminence, that 
the pectoral fins of the flying-fish serve only as a parachute, and by 
another f that “ the animal beats the air during the leap, that is, it 
alternately extends and closes its pectoral fins.” With this last observ- 
ation my own experience perfectly agrees. I have repeatedly seen 
the motion of the fins during its flight, and as flight is only “ swim- 
ming in air,” it appears natural that these organs should be used in 
the same manner in both elements. The flying-fish is also much 
nearer in conformation to the bat, which supports itself in the air by 
repeated percussion, than to the flying squirrel, and other animals, 
whose structure only enables them to fall slowly. I may also remark, 
that when the fin of the flying-fish expands, its rays do not open in 
the same line, but describing a curve strike the air with repeated im- 
pulses. 
I found, it impossible to satisfy my mind with any probable con- 
jecture respecting the greatest space through which these fish can 
support themselves in air, but I have seen them fly without once 
touching the water for fifty seconds, and my eye could not follow 
them till they fell. I have little doubt that they take to the air, as 
well for pleasure as to escape their enemies, since they were often 
seen rising about the ship in all directions, when no foe was visibly 
near, and when they had not been disturbed by the ship’s motion 
through the water. Indeed I have been disposed to think myself 
unfortunate in not witnessing, during the whole voyage, a single 
flying-fish taken by a frigate-bird, or dorado ; and I therefore venture 
to hope that these poor animals are not so persecuted a race as travel- 
lers have been led to imagine. 
It is impossible to reflect on the habits of the flying-fish without 
considering its power of respiring in air. In treating of the respir- 
the dorsal fin opposite to the anal fin an essential character of the genus Exoccetus. Is it a 
universal character, or is the situation of the dorsal fin in my specimen a mere exception 
to a general law ? 
* Cuvier, Regne Animal, tom. ii. p. 188. 
f Humboldt, Personal Narrative, vol. ii. p. 1 4. 
