4 Big Game Fishes 



rib-bones which make fishes so " bony," as in 

 some species, like the shad, they are very long 

 and slender, giving the impression that this popu- 

 lar fish must be very uncomfortable. This anal 

 fin is not a locomotive organ, being merely a 

 balancer to aid in preserving the equilibrium of the 

 fish, a sort of centre-board and a rest when the fish 

 is reclining on the bottom. The limbs which 

 correspond to the locomotive organs of other 

 animals are the pectoral (50) and ventral (81) fins. 

 The former are the most important next to the 

 tail as locomotive organs. Fishes, as the Califor- 

 nia sheepshead, the parrot-fishes, tautog, and 

 others, rely upon them to a decided extent, the 

 flapping or waving motion being readily ob- 

 served; but when rapid and sudden motion is 

 desired, the tail is brought into play, finding its 

 most remarkable development, at least in my 

 estimation, in the California flying-fish, where it 

 twists violently about, hurling the fish into the 

 air with such force that, supported by the broad 

 pectorals and ventrals, the fish becomes an ani- 

 mate aeroplane and soars over the sea, never flying, 

 for over an eighth of a mile. The pectoral fins 

 (50) are modified into forearms, paddles; and 

 many of the corresponding bones among higher 



