Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-11-22
PECULIAR FISH.
Different Species Capable of Fly
ing, Walking and Climbing.
Some which Leave Their Native
Element to Lay Their Eggs.

whilc sitting on tho deck of one of our
European steamers and looking quietly
into tho water of the Calf Stream, ]
suddenly saw a creature of some sort
with wings. 1t came. apparently, out
OF the ocean and Immediately took
complacent attitude in mid air 1t was
a fish beyond dispute and l accounted
Tor its conduct from tho fact that o
huge fish Of much larger kingdom
dartcd to tho surface Of the water in
eager pursuit of this frightened creature.
at first thought tho tiny fish was safe
from the chase, but in less than two
minutes it dropped bLcl into the sea.
Hardly had it touched tho water when
it again bounded in another direction.
and it was soon evident that it was
again followed. When this aggravated
pursuer came to tho surfac, I saw it
was mono other than huge dolphin.
watched tho sport very atteutively for
some timo. but ms our steamer was los
ing sight of it 1 saw an albatross COM
ing toward tho fleeing fish, The acute
eye of the bird had ospiod tho tiny fish
and hal como to rob tho dolphin of it,
prey.
''Thc littlo creature was not aware OF
Its double danger, AMI by its frantic
movements kept sailing along, cndcavor-
ing to escape its fnny onomy. Death
besct it in all directions, when at last
the albatross was upon it, and the fish
conscious of only the danger bohind,
fell right into tho claws of tho bird.
"Naturalists claim that the fish docs
not fly, but simply leaps from the water
and sails along on its mcmbraneou,
wings. cannot bolicvo this, for |
have seen the fish on many occa,ions
leave tho water and fly along further
than 1t could possibly do if it did not
fly. And, too, have seen them flap
their winglikc fins, change their course,
and fly against strong wind. This
evidence, it seems to mo, is far moro
reliable than that of hundreds of natur
alIsts. A man may not be sharp sight
cd enough to SEQ tho fling fish ftp its
wings; nevertheless, have often seen it
done. and nothing can change my
mind"
That keen observer, Grant Allen,
forcioly declares that The flying fish docs
actually fly. OF the flying fish there arc
ut least twenty species and in appear
ance greatly resembles the herring, with
large, hat-likc wings. They will not
leave tho water unless threatened bv
an enemy. Their speed is not rapid,
although they can easily keep ahead of
steamer going at the rate of twelve
knots an hour. 8
We arc told there arc fish that walk
which arc more numerous and moro
variable. Many Of them leave tho water
from choice rather than necessity. One
kind In particular leaves its native clo-
ment in search Of Leaves and twigs with
which to bui,d a nest. 1t lays its eggs
and watches with great care until thew
ale Matched. There is another when OH
seeing there is danger of its pond dry
ing up and leaving it to die takes in a
supply of wafer anu cmbarks on n tour
oil inspection. In body they start
through forest with us much boldncss
as bo:!y of men. Their bodies are
covered with sharp spinc,, so they ara
not desirable eating for the animals of
tho forest. aad consequently arc allowed
to pass unmolcstcd. S3me unmistaka-
bic instinct tells them where to find
water, and their march always results in
reaching much larger body than that
which they have just left.
There is abundant proof to convince
tho most scep'ical that fish can actual
ly run. There is specie, in South
America TINT have large and prominent
eyes, which they have the power of
rolling back and forth at will. As you
thrust you hand down toward one it
turns its grca. eye with rather com'c,l
expression, ana just rs you are about to
pick it up away il runs out of your
reach. But unless disturbed they march
slowly along until II pond is reached,
when they jump in and stay.
Another interesting kind of fish is
called the climbing perch. They ac-
tually leave the wafer at intervals and
by means of two spines ascend into tho
trcctop. What their object is in so do
ing cannot lie accounted for, unless it
Is to search for insects.
These are but a few of the fish which
leave tho water for time. The com
mon col often travels considerable dis
lance in searching for moro anil dccpc,
water. Eels have been fouSl under
- Al.