6*8 
FLYING PISH. 
they were observed generally at an elevation of about 
70° towards the west, and shooting in that direction. 
A series of magnetic observations were carried on 
daily at the same place, — the skylight of the cabin; 
and though from the vessel being of iron, they will be 
subject to very great errors; still it was considered, 
that if an approximation to the truth can be obtained 
by eliminating these, the experiments will be interest- 
ing, none having been previously made in this region. 
We w'ere constantly deceived by supposed indi- 
cations of the trade-wind, which did not come to 
our aid except partially, till we were very near the 
termination of the voyage. The current also did but 
little for us. 
As we proceeded, the reverberating noise of our 
paddle-wheels disturbed from their element large 
shoals of the flying fish, or Hirondelle de Mer of the 
French, — one of the most interesting and beautiful of 
the inhabitants of the deep, met with in the w^arm 
latitudes. The symmetry of its body — the long and 
widely-expansive pectoral fins — the bright polished- 
looking operculum, and fine blue and silver tints, 
make its examination a pleasing pastime to the 
naturalist, when, as often happens, it is allured by the 
light to fly on board. Notwithstanding their longer 
and more frequent contact with air than any other 
fish, they survive the shortest period when kept out of 
water. About fifteen yards is a usual distance at each 
emersion from the sea, but they sometimes accomplish 
