  All animals are provided with some means of protection from the attacks of their enemies and with ways of escaping from any object which they may fear. The means furnished to the Flying Fishes is one of the most unique and interesting. To escape the larger fishes that prey upon them, or when frightened by a passing vessel, these fishes will rise from the surface of the water and with distended but quiet fins pass over a distance of several feet. They have been known to rise to a height of twelve or more feet and fly for one hundred or more yards, although the height and distance traveled is usually much less. This power of flight is due to the great development of the breast (pectoral) fins, situated on the sides of the body near the head. Some writers have stated that these fishes left the water for the purpose of catching insect food and that they had the power of regulating their flight by the movement of their fins. The best authorities, however, claim that they do not possess the power of changing the direction, velocity, or altitude of their flight and the position of the fins is not voluntarily changed, and that their object in leaving the water is not for food. They rise without reference to the direction of the wind or waves, and frequently, when their course is at an angle with the wind, the direction of their flight may be changed by the air currents or by contact with the waves. The direction is also modified, when passing close to the water, by immersing the tail fin and moving it with a rudder like motion. There are two groups of Flying Fishes, both natives of tropical and sub-tropical seas. In one of the groups there are less than five species, while classed under the other there are fifty or more. EDITOR'S NOTE. On account of inaccuracies in the report of Mr. Chapman's lecture, which was quoted in the June number of this Magazine, it is only due to Mr. Chapman that we publish the following letter received from him:
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