Photographing Fish 209 



we would do good work along this line, to first 

 learn the principal habits of those fish that we 

 intend to work with. We shall find that it will 

 not only simplify matters, but tend toward better 

 results. 



From a scientific standpoint, and here is where 

 fish photographs are most useful, it is necessary 

 that the subject should show a correct delineation 

 with absolutely no distortion and a sharp outline. 

 One writer, who has done much good work in 

 this line of photography, puts it thus: The 

 following four characteristics should be observed 

 as being of the most importance : the length of 

 head, tail, and fins in proportion to the total length 

 of the body ; the general contour of the living 

 specimen ; the number of rays in his fins ; the 

 lateral line and the number of scales along it. It 

 can be seen readily that the only correct view that 

 can be taken of a fish in a photograph is a direct 

 side view. 



From the nature of this work it requires some 

 special apparatus, and foremost among this is an 

 aquarium. This will have to be made to order, 

 for none of the aquariums that are sold by dealers 

 in such things will answer the purpose. Any 

 carpenter can make one from our own specifica- 

 tions ; or, if we are at all handy with tools, we 

 can do so for ourselves and, probably, with greater 

 satisfaction. It should be made of white pine, 



