Four feet, wings, and fins

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Identifier: fourfeetwingsfin00mask (find matches)
Title: Four feet, wings, and fins
Year: 1879 (1870s)
Authors: Maskell, A. E. Anderson- Mrs
Subjects: Zoology
Publisher: Boston, D. Lothrop and Co
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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length. It has a long and pointednose, and fins which extend all the way down theback of the animal, as well as nearly all the wayunder it. It breathes by means of gills, like a fish. Cousin Grace, did you ever see a flying-fish ?asked May Yes, said Grace. Do tell us all about them, said Frank, haulingin his line, and flinging himself down on the grass. Of all the fish, I think a fish with wings must bethe most interesting, said May. ^ Have em dot fevvers on their wings ? asked Rose. No, their wings are nothing but great long fins.Their pectoral fins are composed of seven or eightribs, connected by a transparent, glutinous mem-brane. These little fishes can raise and flap theirwings like little birds. Are they little ? asked Frank. There are many species, ranging from three totwelve inches in length. Swimming in the waterthey have much the appearance of swallows, onlythey always swim in straight lines. - They haveblack backs, white stomachs and long forked tailslike the swallows. 446
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Argonauta, in three positions. THE FISHING PARTY. But what do fish have wings for ? asked Rose. Because they have so many enemies, I suppose.They hve in large shoals, and the dorado, thunnyand many other fish get into a shoal and devourlarge numbers. The little creatures cannot fly fastenough in the water, so they leap into the air, flyingfifty or sixty yards at a time, scarcely ever more, aswhen their fins become dry they drop back into thewater. Sometimes, they plunge beneath, rewet theirfins, then continue their flight. But enemies awaitthem here. Sea-birds often pounce upon them, too.The eyes of these fish protrude so that they cansee danger from every quarter. Sometimes whenflying, they become suddenly exhausted, and fallwith such force upon decks of ships as to be killedin great numbers. One of the most singular of theflying-fish is the dragon-fish, or Pegastis-draco, Itlooks something like a crocodile with fan-like wingsupon each side. It is three or four inches in length,and b

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