FOOD TAKING 
73 
face of the body keep the fish from tipping over and are 
chiefly for balancing, the paired fins also assisting in this 
process. The tail of a fish is supplied with a large terminal 
fin. This fin and the tail of the rapidly swimming fish, which 
is often one third of the entire length of the body, is the chief 
Figure 64. —The Gill of a Fish. 
Blood vessels penetrate into the fine gill filaments where the waste 
carbon dioxide is given off into the water and oxygen taken into the 
blood. The gill rakers assist in capturing food. 
organ of locomotion. Movement is produced by a rapid side- 
wise motion of the tail. 
58. Food Taking. — Fishes eat insects, worms, crayfish, 
snails, and other fish. The teeth of fish serve to seize, tear, 
and hold food. None of the fish have teeth which are 
adapted to crushing or chewing the food, as is the case 
