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directions, against, with, and at different angles with, the waves and wind, bat most
frequently against both. I could never perceive them communicating an up-and-down
motion to their pectoral fins, nor ever to go along without having them extended at
nearly right angles with the body. When already on the wing, they seldom change
entirely their original course, and their rising higher is never effected rapidly, but
gradually, and to a small height.”—C.
Subsequent observations induced Mr. Lay to make the following remarks on the
same subject:—“ Perhaps it would be more consistent with the analogy of the well-
known method of progression imparted to fishes, to assume that the momentum with
which tbe Exoccetus emerges from the water is adequate to effect its demonstration of
force, without recurring to the supposed impulse which it may receive by the reacting
of tbe water against its pectoral tins. I always observed them to be most numerous
when the sea was chafed by a brisk g a le : for by rising upon the pitch of a wave, they
were enabled to spring as it were from an eminence, and when proceeding in the direction
of the wind, they were doubtless assisted by a sort of vis a tergo, derived from the
motion of the sea. The rising and dipping of the Flying-fish, when it is not influenced
by tbe ridging of Ibe sea, are effected by a kind of diagonal force, compounded of the
action of the wind, and the tendency of gravitation, variously modified by the acquired
velocity of the fish, and its efforts to elevate and depress its head.
“ I have often seen it, when moving nearly against the wind, exercise a power of
accommodation, and, if I may use the term on this occasion, a certain faculty of humouring
and applying the antagonist forces resulting from its own weight and the sweep of
the atmospheric current.
“ These observations will always be made intelligible by accounting for the motion
of a ship when sailing within six points of the wind, and by remembering that if, by a
slight obliquity, an umbrella when held against the wind is allowed to fill, the first effort
that it makes to obey the force impressed upon it, is to escape in the very direction in
which the wind is blowing. This we know is owing to its concave form, which by
retaining the wind receives an impulse diffused over the whole of its inferior surface.
The fins of the Flying-fish, when expanded, are not exactly parallel to the horizon, but,
in virtue of their sloping position, share somewhat in the nature of the umbrella and
the bellying sail.”—L.
“ From the small number of insects over the water in the Atlantic Ocean, I should
not think it probable,” Mr. Collie remarks, “ tbat these fishes seek their food out of
the water; nor does it appear likely that they are gifted with their so extraordinary
power solely to enable them to escape from the rapacious Bonito.”—C.
The rapacious Bonito itself, <Scom6er Pelamys, L., was observed shortly after the
appearance of its favourite prey. An individual, whicb did not die for some minutes
after it had been brought on board, exhibited “ very brilliant colours, and changed their
tints a little from time to time; but these seemed to be more various and more frequently
changed than they really were, on account of the spectator viewing its surface
from different positions, whence every varying angle of the incident and reflected rays
of light occasioned a varied tint of the bright colouring. About five minutes after it
had been taken out of tbe water, an incision was made tlirougb the pañetes of the
abdomen, and into the ventricle of the heart, where the bulb of a thermometer was
inserted, and the belly closed n p : tbe temperature was 86". The thermometer being
placed among the viscera of the abdomen, indicated tlie same temperature; placed
deep in an incision made into the muscular part of tlie back, the quicksilver rose to 88 .
in another part it stood at 87». The mean temperature of the surface of the sea on the
same day was 82».”—C. The anatomy of this species was carefully examined, especially
as re g a rd e d the structure of its intestinal canal. .
In nearly the same latitude, 6» N ., a specimen of the Sucking-fish was obtained. I he
form of the individual, as represented in a drawing by Mr. Smyth, is evidently that of
the Echeneis Remora, L., and we do not hesitate to refer it to that species, although the
number of pairs of lamina in its sucker are figured as only ten. But on such a point,
in a flvure by a young artist, we do not venture to propose a new species : be probably
was not aware of tbe importance of precision as to numbers, and may have contented
himself witli the production of effect; the number of the rays represented in the dorsal
and anal fins, (fifteen in the former, and thirteen in the latter,) are also probably deficient;
and tliat of tbe rays of tbe pectoral, only eight, is certainly so. But there is no
mistaking the comparatively shortened form of the fish, and its general cbaraclers of
fm including the forking of the caudal. Its colours, as represented m the drawing,
aré dull dusky brown above and below, separated longitudinally on the sides and cheeks
by light b lu e ; the fins are yellowish at the base, terminated by dusky brown.
In tbe harbour of Rio Janeiro we find mention of the occurrence of a species of
Trigla. A single specimen of the Hemirhamphus Brasiliensis, Cuv., was obtained
from the gullet of a booby {Pdecanus Sula, L-). and another, unnamed, was observed in the
Cabinet of Natural History. A species o f Diodon, L ,and one of Tetrodon, L., were also
seen. On the latter Mr. Collie remarks, “ The air with which this last genus distends
its belly not only erects the spines of its under surface, but also overturns the fish itself.
I f so, the armed region is in many species turned away from such fishes as might attack
them, for the quantity of air must make them float on the surface with their comparatively
smooth back downwards ; wbile at the same time the belly attracts by its whiteness, and
is exposed to the headlong darting down of the Pelecanus Sula, several species of Larus,
Sterna, —C.
The journals of the navigators contain no further mention of fishes observed until the
arrival of the vessel at tbe Bay of Conception, where a Callorhynchus occurred, which
differs, according to a drawing of it preserved by Mr. Smyth, from the species previously
known. At Gambier Islands, several fishes were observed, designated by Mr. Collie
as the Perea ( Chcelodon) vitta ta l, Perea maculata?, another Perea, and a Lahrus.
On the fishes thus designated, the loss of the drawings, and the insufficiency of the notes,
prevent us from offering any remarks. Mr. Lay was especially delighted with the beauty
of the fishes seen in this locality. H e remarks in his journal, “ The bottom of a large
volcanic hollow, which forms a kind of bay in the middle of this group, afforded through
the translucent water a spectacle of passing beauty: for besides divers kinds of playful
I, I