Abstract
IT is remarkable that there should still be any doubt as to the facts in connection with the flight of the flying-fish. Dr. Günther (“Study of Fishes,” p. 622), summarising the observation of Möbius, says that “they frequently overtop each wave, being carried over it by the pressure of the disturbed air” (in the open sea!). Again, flying-fishes “never” fall on board vessels “during a calm or from the lee side.” At night “when they are unable to see they frequently fly against the weatherboard, when they are caught by the current of air and carried upwards to a height of twenty feet above the surface of the water.” Surely the fish going at the rate of at least ten miles an hour would on striking the “weather-board” be dashed, bruised and helpless, back into the water instead of coming over the side fresh and vigorous, flapping about on the deck. Except when “by a stroke of its tail” it turns towards the right or, left, Möbius concludes that “any deflection from a straight course is due to external circumstances, and not to voluntary action on the part of the fish.”
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PASCOE, F. The Flying-fish. Nature 23, 312 (1881). https://doi.org/10.1038/023312b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/023312b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.