l62 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



and beautiful, the lateral line looks like a series of dots embroidered at the 

 center of the diamond-shaped scales. 



The dorsal fin is placed just back of the center of the body and is not 

 very large; it is composed of soft rays, the first two being stiff and un- 

 branchecl. The tail is long, large, graceful and deeply notched. The 

 anal fin is almost as large as the dorsal. The ventral pair is placed on 

 the lower side, opposite the dorsal fin; the pectorals are set at the lower 

 margin of the body, just behind the gill openings. The shiner and its 

 relatives use the pectoral fins to aid in swimming, and keep them constantly 

 in motion when moving through the water. The ventrals are moved only 

 now and then and evidently help in keeping the balance. When the fish 

 moves rapidly forward, the dorsal fin is raised so that its front edge stands 

 at right angles to the body and the ventral and anal fins are expanded to 

 their fullest extent. But when the fish is lounging, the dorsal, anal and 

 ventral fins are more or less closed, although the tip of the dorsal fin swings 

 with every movement of the fish. 



The eyes are large, the pupils being very large and black; the iris is 

 pale yellow and shining; the whole eye is capable of much movement 

 forward and back. The nostril is divided by a little projecting partition 

 which looks like a tubercle. The mouth is at the front of the head; to 

 see the capabilities of this mouth, watch the shiner yawn, if the water of 

 the aquarium becomes stale. Poor fellow! He yawns just as we do in 

 the effort to get more oxygen. 



The shiners are essentially brook fish although they may be found in 

 larger bodies of water. They lead a precarious existence, for the larger 

 fish eat them in all their stages. They only hold their own by laying 

 countless numbers of eggs. They feed on water insects and get even with 

 their big fish enemies by eating their eggs. They are pretty and graceful 

 little creatures and may be seen swimming up the current in the middle of 

 the brook. They often occur in schools or flocks, especially when young. 



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The common shiner. 



