Fish Study 163 



LESSON XXXIX 

 The Shiner 



Leading thought — The shiners are among the most common of the little 

 fish in our small streams. They are beautiful in form and play an 

 important part in the life of our streams. 



Method — Place in the aquarium shiners and as many as possible of the 

 other species of small fish found in our creeks and brooks. The aquarium 

 should stand where the pupil may see it often. The following questions 

 may be asked, giving the children plenty of time for the work of observa- 

 tion: 



Observations — i . Do you know how the shiner differs in appearance 

 from the minnow and chub and dace ? 



2. What is the shape of the shiner's body when seen from above? 

 When seen from the side ? Do you think that its shape fits it for moving 

 rapidly through the water? 



3. What is the coloring above ? On the sides? Below? 



4. Are the scales large and distinct, or very small? Can you see the 

 lateral line? Where are the tiny holes, which make this line, placed in the 

 scales ? 



5. Describe or sketch the fish, showing position, relative size and 

 shape of all the fins and the tail. 



6. Describe the use and movements of each of the fins when the fish 

 is swimming. 



7. Describe the eyes. Do they move? 



8. Describe the nostrils. Do you think each one is double? 



9. Does the mouth open upwards, downwards or forwards? Have 

 you ever seen the shiner yawn ? Why does it yawn ? Why do you yawn ? 



10. Where do you find the shiners living? Do they haunt the 

 middle of the stream or the edges? Do you ever see them in flocks or 

 schools ? 



MINNOWS 



How silent comes the water round that bend; 



Not the minutest whisper does it send 



To the o'er hanging sallows; blades of grass 



Slowly across the chequer'd shadows pass. 



Why, you might read two sonnets, ere they reach 



To where the hurrying freshnesses aye preach 



A natural sermon o'er their pebbly beds; 



Where swarms of minnows show their little heads. 



Staying their wavy bodies 'gainst the streams. 



To taste the luxury of sunny beams 



Tempered with coolness. How they ever wrestle 



With their own sweet delight, and ever nestle 



Their silver bellies on the pebbly sand! 



If you but scantily hold out the hand. 



That very instant not one will remain; 



But turn your eye, and there they are again. 



The ripples seem right glad to reach those cresses. 



And cool themselves among the em' raid tresses; 



The while they cool themselves, they freshness give. 



And moisture, that the bowery green may live. 



— John Keats. 



