. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. F L \' I N G - FI S H E S 235. noticed, are enabled, by reason of the great development of the breast-fins, to take extended journeys through the air. The flight of these fishes is, however, not quite the same as true flight, inasmuch as the fins serx'c mainly as a parachute, and do not, b)' sustained \'igorous movements, propel the bod\' through the air, like the wings of bats and birds. Darting out of the water when pursued by an enemy or frightened b\' a passing vessel, these fish a
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. F L \' I N G - FI S H E S 235. noticed, are enabled, by reason of the great development of the breast-fins, to take extended journeys through the air. The flight of these fishes is, however, not quite the same as true flight, inasmuch as the fins serx'c mainly as a parachute, and do not, b)' sustained \'igorous movements, propel the bod\' through the air, like the wings of bats and birds. Darting out of the water when pursued by an enemy or frightened b\' a passing vessel, these fish are borne along by the wind, the speed at first being very considerable, exceeding indeed that of a ship going ten miles an hour. At a single flight they ma}' cover as much as 500 feet, but are quite unable to steer themselves, except when, during their course, the tail-fin is immersed in the water, when by a stroke from one side to the other the direction may be changed from left to right, or vice versa, as the case may be. By day they will avoid ships, but b)' night, \vhen they are unable to see, " they frequently fly," writes Dr. Giinther, " against the weather-board, where they are caught by the current of air and carried upwards to a height of 20 feet above the surface of the water, while under ordinary circumstances the\' keep close to ; r*aro hi A. .5. RiidUnd & Sam FLyiNC;-FISH j\Iorc than fort^ dht'tnct specks oj this family are knoivn CHAPTER VI THE irRJSSE-L/KE FISHES BY W. P. PVCRAFT, , THE members of the four families noticed in this chapter are remarkable for their won- derful coloration. The species of the first family, from their peculiarly striking re- semblance to the Scal3'-finned group, share with them the name of C( •RAL-FISMES. This resemblance is a very remarkable one. Occurring, like the Scalj'-fins, more abundantly in the neighbourhood of coral-reefs, they also resemble the latter not only in shape, but also in c
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