286 
natural history 
danger or prey; and when pushed -out of the socket, 
which the fish can do considerably, its sphere of vision 
is greatly increased. 
The flying fish inhabits the European, the American, 
and the Red Seas: but is chiefly found within the tropics. 
The wings, with which they have the power of raising 
themselves into the air, are nothing more than large 
pectoral fins, composed of seven or eight ribs, or rays, 
connected by a flexible, transparent, and gluttinous mem- 
brane. They have their origin near the gills, and are 
capable of considerable motion backwards and forwards. 
These fins are used also to aid the motion of the fish in 
the water; and if we are to judge from the great length 
and surface of the oars, comparatively with the size of 
the body, the fish should be able to cut their way through 
the water with great velocity. 
In flying, as it is termed, not only the wings and fins 
of these fish are much expanded, but also their tails; 
they skim along the surface of the deep, somewhat in the 
manner of a swallow, but in straight lines; and, from 
the blackness of their backs, the whiteness of their bel- 
lies, and forked expanded tails, they have much the same 
appearance. They fly fifty or sixty yards at one stretch; 
and repeat the exertion again and again by a momentary 
touch on the surface of the water, which gives them vi- 
gour for a new departure. 
It has been inconsiderately remarked, that all animated 
nature seems combined against this little fish, which pos- 
sesses the double powers of swimming and flying only 
to subject it to greater dangers. If it escape its enemies 
of the deep, it is only to be devoured by the sea fowl, 
which are waiting its appearance in the air. Its destiny 
is, however, by no means peculiarly severe : we should 
consider that, as a, fish, it often escapes the attack of 
birds; and, in its winged character, the individuals often 
throw themselves out of the power of the aquatic race. 
Remora, or Sucking-Fish. (PI. 50.) There are 
only three known species of the sucking-fish; these are 
occasionally seen in the Meclit rr inean sea and the Pa- 
cific ocean. The common sucking-fish, which inhabits 
