4 MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 



As the dace approaches, the agitation of the pike 

 increases, and though the body still shows no move- 

 ment, the suppressed excitement of the pike is clearly- 

 seen by the further movements of the fin on his back, 

 for the hindmost rays of this fin are swished from side 

 to side, or the whole fin is rapidly opened and closed 

 like a lady's fan. 



At last the pike decides to attack, and immediately 

 he takes up an attitude which clearly shows his inten- 

 tions. The muscles of the body contract, the line of 

 the back in consequence becomes as straight as an 

 arrow, and at the same time the pike raises himself 

 up on his fins. 



This attitude of intended attack is invariably present, 

 and it may be maintained for only a few seconds or for 

 several minutes. 



Should the dace now disappear, the pike's muscles 

 will again relax, and the fin on the back will gradually 

 sink down ; but if the dace continues to cruise round 

 and round, the pike, propelled by a screw-like movement 

 of the fin at the end of his tail, will slowly glide forward 

 and stealthily follow the movements of the little fish. 

 If the dace becomes alarmed, the pike will stop and hang 

 motionless in the water, rigid and quivering with excite- 

 ment. As soon as the little fish shows by his move- 

 ments that he is again at his ease, the pike continues 

 his stealthy approach, and when he is within striking 

 distance there is a sudden rush, and the dace is seized 

 across the body. A swirl on the surfaee of the water is 



