EXOCOETUS, the FLYING-FISH, in ichthyology, a genus belonging to the order of abdominalis. The head is scaly, and it has no teeth; it has ten radii in the branchiostegal membrane; the body is whitish, and the
the belly is angular: the pectoral fins are very large. When pursued by any other fish, it raises itself from the water by means of these long fins, and flies in the air to a considerable distance, till the fins dry, and then it falls down into the water. There are two species, viz. 1. The volitans, with the belly carinated on each side. It is a native of the European and American seas. 2. The evolans, with a cylindrical belly. It is a native of the German ocean.