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 aéroplane 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 
