I':* 1"'
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I i' T'
4 2 IN T R O D U C T O R Y R E M A R K S .
much during the voyage, and had noted their observations, that the extent of
these should be made known: it must also be advantageous to future voyagers,
as indicating at least that there existed in certain localities species apparently
novel, and as pointing out to them the more striking characters of some subjects
deserving of their inquiry. It is on this principle that an enumeration
has been given, in the order of the voyage, of very nearly the whole of the
fishes mentioned in the notes of Mr. Collie and Mr. Lay.* In enumerating
them, it has been attempted to render the notes referred to as intelligible to
the ichthyologist as their nature would permit. Here some portion of conjecture
was unavoidable: but in no instance has a name been given to a species,
although apparently new, on the authority of the notes alone. Some specimens
of fishes have been preserved, and of these we speak with confidence. Of
others we have drawings taken from the recent fishes; and these, although
probably not free from trifling errors in the details, may yet be relied on for
general accuracy and effect.
Such are the materials placed in our hands, and such their relative value.
In employing them, we propose to give, in the first place, lists of the species
observed at each station visited during the voyage; and in the second place,
characters and descriptions of such novelties as rest on the authority of specimens
or of figures; distinguishing in all cases the materials from which our
information is derived.
We commence with the enumeration of the several species observed.
* M r .L a y r e g re ts , llia t, influencefl b y o p in io n , h e fell in to th e v a lg a r e r ro r o f la b o u rin g to cu ltiv a te
a u a c tiu a in ta iic e w ith th e more o b v io u s p ro d u c tio n s o f th e earth, in th e ro om o f p u r su in g tlie more
Carious a n d re tire d c a n to n s o f a n im a te d n a t u r e ; a n d lam en ts th a t in s te ad o f in v e s tig a tin g tlie ra tio n e s
hab cn d i o f v e g e ta b le s tru c tu r e s , he d id n o t o c c u p y his lim e in e tc h in g o u t th e in te rn a l config u ra tio n s,
a n d in d e fin in g th e h ab itu d e s , o f th e v a rio u s “ saecia an im a n tum ” (L u c r e t.) tiia t peo p le th e o c e an .
F I S H E S .
A m o n g the fishes which earliest attract the ohservation of a voyager passing from the
north towards the equator, are the Exocati, popularly known as Flying-fishes, and peculiarly
interesting on account of their singular power of elevating themselves ahove
the surface of the water in a manner somewhat resembling flight. Should they fail
to excite attention by their excursions above the waves, they will occasionally intrude
themselves upon the notice of the voyager by even throwing themselves from the sea
upon the deck of the vessel in which he sails. Some of these, of the species termed
by Linnmus Exocccius volitans, were seen the day after quitting Teneriife, and others
were observed during many of the following days. Tbey were carefully examined as
to their anatomy, and other particulars, and especially as to their specific gravity, an
interesting point as connected with their power of raising and supporting themselves in
the air. “ In the present state of our knowledge,” Mr. Lay observes, “ it is needless
to remark that tbe Elying-fishes possess no claim whatever to be regarded as tbe connecting
link between fishes and birds, classes widely separated in a natural a rran p ra en t
of vertebrated animals: their large pectoral fins have nothing in their structure in common
with the wings of birds, and are unfurnished with muscles capable of communicating
to tliem the rapid motions of alternate elevation and depression, which give to wings
the power of supporting and conveying their bodies through the air, during almost an
indefinite time. The (light of an Exocceius appears generally to be a single effort; a
smart stroke is given by the expanded pectoral fins to the wate r; the impulse thus
given raises the body of tbe fish above tbe surface, where, rendered buoyant by its
large air-bladder, aud tbe parachute-like form of its extended fins, it is supported
during a short time ; but it soon falls into the water, and, like other projectiles, declines
more quickly when the angle at which it has risen has been greater than 40°: it falls
by the laws of gravitation, and by no means stoops into tbe water, either for the purpose
of wetting its wiogs, or for that of aerating the blood in its branchim.”—L.#
Mr. Lay further remarks, that he never observed a Flying-fisb to rise and sink in
its (light as birds do, nor does be think that it possesses any such power : but from this
statement that of Mr. Collie differs. In bis notes Mr. Collie remarks, “ After repeatedly
observing the Flying-fish when skipping over the tops of the waves, I have no
hesitation in asserting as a fact, that these fishes have tbe power of descending a little
and rising up again in the air without touching any part of the surface of the s e a ; that
they have tbe power of changing the direction of their course to either side without
touching the water, but generally pursue their flight in a right line ; that they fly in all
* Th e le tte r L . succeeding a passage between in v e rted commae, imp
*)f M r.iL ay . To th e quotations from M r. Collie’s notes a C. is afSxed.
s th a t su ch passage is quoted from th e notes
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