. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. -tH-i^essm. ORIENTAI. f);VnV(,ttvs ,„-ic,il„l^. w Its colour is red like that of the red Gurnard. Nearly all the rays of the first dorsal liu are extremely elon->ated, and, together with the mailed body, the armed head, and the double snout, give to the tish a most singular aspect. The total length of the Mailed (iurnard is about two feet. The two extraordinary and beautiful fishes which are represented in the accompanying illustration are
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. -tH-i^essm. ORIENTAI. f);VnV(,ttvs ,„-ic,il„l^. w Its colour is red like that of the red Gurnard. Nearly all the rays of the first dorsal liu are extremely elon->ated, and, together with the mailed body, the armed head, and the double snout, give to the tish a most singular aspect. The total length of the Mailed (iurnard is about two feet. The two extraordinary and beautiful fishes which are represented in the accompanying illustration are remarkable, not only for the very great development of the pectoral'tins^ their muscles and attachments, but for the unexpected use to which those members are occasionally subservient. These fishes, together with one or two other species, hereafter to be described, possess the power of darting from the water into the air, and by the mingled force of the impetus with which they spring from the surface, and the widely spread wing-like fins, to sustain themselves for a short space in the thinner element, and usurp for a time the privile"es of the winged beings whose trackless path is through the air. ° The object of exercising these strange powers .seems to be, not the pleasure of the fish, but the hope of escaping from the jaws of sonu> voracious monster of the deep, whose sub- iiquatic sjjced is greater than that of the intended victim, but whose limited powers are mcajiable of raising it into the air. Foremost among these persecutors is the coryphene, ulten called the dolphin by sailors, and which is the so-called " dolphin" whose colours glow with such changeful beauty during its death pangs. Little, however, tlo the ])owers of flight avail the unfurtunate fish, for Mingt>d foes, known by the name of albatros, fiigate-bird, and similar titles, are hoveling idiove in waiting for their prey, and no sooner does the (iurnard launch itself fairly into the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
