Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/141

Rh and these are commonly described as equalled in delicacy, brilliancy, and variety only by the colours of the rainbow. "The changing tints of a dying Dolphin," are in every mouth, as a current proverbial phrase. We have had the opportunity of witnessing the death of an Atlantic Coryphene, in which the phenomena displayed were of quite another kind than we had supposed. We had expected that, as it died, opaline flashes would fleet over the skin; but what really occurred was this: when brought out of the water it was silvery-grey, with pearly reflections, but in a few minutes after it had lain on deck, the whole body suddenly changed to a brilliant green, (a permanent, not an iridescent colour,) the back dark, the belly yellower, almost like gold, with blue spots; this was the only change, except that the hue became more dingy after death. Alive, and in their native element, as we have already observed, these fishes are very beautiful; generally appearing (judging from our own observation) in parties of five or six, they play around the ship, sometimes at the surface, and then far down in the clear depths below. When they turn in the water, their backs are dark one moment, and the next gleam like polished silver, or mother-of pearl.

To this group belongs also the Genus Pteraclis, remarkable for the great height of the dorsal and anal fins, as represented on page 55 of this volume.

Such are the groups of the great Mackerel Family, one of the most numerous in species, and most varied in form of the whole Class, and comprising some of the most beautiful of all fishes,