78 
Tanks No. 2 and 13, 
A near ally is the Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus (Fig. 134, tank 2), 
which, however, in spite of its name does not appear to use its large 
pectoral fins as wings for flying through the air. (This, on the other 
hand, is done by the Flying-fish, Exocoetus ; when they leave the water, 
they shoot along with rapid beatings of their fins, but fall into the sea 
again after a flight of about 100 paces, only to repeat the process. But 
possibly they are chiefly 
carried along by the wind, 
catching their large out¬ 
spread fins, so that we can¬ 
not really speak of "flight”. 
Often two shoals will follow 
each other in flight; if they 
keep to a fixed course, one 
may safely assume that they 
are pursued by some enemy. 
When they are near the 
coast, they attract the atten- 
^ ^ 7 ^ 7 ., ., . m . _ tion of gulls and other 
dig. 134. JJactmopterus volitans, 1 U nat. size. lank 2. .. , . . , . 
J 1 birds, which chase them from 
above.) The Flying Gurnards live in shoals at the bottom of the sea. 
Their flesh is tough and tasteless. They grunt like Trigla when caught. 
They are only occasionally seen in the Aquarium. 
Like the gurnards the Red Mullet, Mullus (Fig. 135), lives in flocks 
on the muddy beds of the sea, feeling about for food with the two long 
barbules of its lower jaw. In the Aquarium the play of these tactile 
organs can be well studied (tank 13). Sometimes they are moved about 
slowly, and with great deliberation, in the mud, sometimes they vibrate 
rapidly or are laid back into a furrow of the lower jaw. The Roman 
gourmands prized this fish very greatly and, when it was the fashion, 
they paid incredible sums for large specimens. They were also brought 
to the guests in glass bowls living, and, so as to enjoy the wonderful 
play of colours which they show, they let them die slowly in the hands 
of the women. Nowadays the Mullet under the name of Triglia in all 
Italian markets is a much sought but not very expensive fish. 
