File:Guide leaflet (1901) (14581743907).jpg

Identifier: scienceguide7692amer (find matches)
Title: Guide leaflet
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: American Museum of Natural History
Subjects: American Museum of Natural History Natural history
Publisher: New York : The Museum
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: IMLS / LSTA / METRO

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ard gradually drift, as they grow,toward America; those to the eastward toward Europe. When theyapproach the shore, they are several inches long. On entering coastalwaters they shrink to a smaller size and take on the appearance of Eels,though still more or less transparent. Some of these remain and grow incoastal salt or brackish waters, and others penetrate far inland becomingthe Fresh-water Eels of the interior. The Conger Eel does not enter fresh water; it moves away from theshore to spawn but it too dies after spawning. The Morays are typically reef fishes. They are the largest of theEel tribe and have powerful jaws armed with sharp teeth. Order Synentognathi. (Flying Fishes, Needlefishes, etc.)(Wall Case): Several unrelated groups of fishes have developed independ-ently the ability to fly, but the Exocoetidse, or Marine Flying Fishes,characteristic of the trade wind belts of open, tropical oceans, excel allothers in aerial powers. These, of all flying animals, most closely re- I
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Fig. 11, Flying Fish and Airplane Compared. 37 38 AMERICAN MUSEUM GUIDE LEAFLET seinble the modern airplane. The proportions of flying fish and airphine are very close in spite of the disparity in size. Being an organic unit and not a rigidly articulated machine, thefish is capable of greater flexibility of movement and possesses someadjustments not yet possible in a plane. The camber of the wings, their placement and the presence ofstabilizer fins at their proper places, considering the form, size andlanding requirements of each, are remarkably similar. One of the moststriking diflerences is the complete absence of any landing gear on thefish. This is a notable economy, possible because the fish can plunge intothe water head-first or drop without injury in a manner that wouldwreck a plane. The average rise of these fishes is about five feet, although they occa-sionafly rise higher; the length of flight varies from fifty to three hundredfeet, and, when with the wind, has been observed

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