Evening star., 1932-02-11
n A T u r E. S
CHI IL d r E N
BY LILLIAN COX ATHEY.
Illustrations by Mary Foley.

TT has been said that once there was
king called Midas, whose toucn
turned everything to gold. He
i must have been Chinese, because
they have learned the magic OF Sc
lecting and breeding this famous nttie
occupant of private pools and aquarl-
ums. Should these gold-clad ones De
placed in brook, they will turn 10 an
olive-green and resemble their an
cestors. In the waters Of the Delaware,
Potomac and other eastern rivers, many
dull-gold fish may be seen sporting
about It Is most likely that should the
goldfish get into the waters filled with
other fish they would be gobbled up as
q delectable morsel.
The goldfish Of the aquarium is
dazzling creature. 1t Is brilliant orange
above and pale lemon-yellowish below.
There are many specimens with patches
of black, and there are some f1sh that
have threads Of silver, reminding one
of oxidized silver above with polished
silver abdomens.
Would you believe these effulgent
creatures were related to the carp ana
can even live In stale water? They die
of acute indigestion rather than star
vation, and they live to the ripe OLD
age Of nine years.
They are built for speed in the water,
their body is broader near the front
end, it is pointed and cuts the water
easily. The hind portion of the BODY Is
q narrow oval. The tail acts as pro-
peller. The fish has seven fins, with
one along the back called the dorSal
fin. 1t Is usually higher In front tnan
behind. and can be lifted up or closed
down like fan. When this nm Is erect
in the water. the fish appears mucn
higher than 1t really Is. The owner can
twist this fin from one side to the other
and use 1t for steering. One fin Is the
propeller The tail fins are shaped ike
a fan and are deeply notched.
A pair just behind the gill ouenings
Is called the pectorals and the pair on
the lower side the ventrals Each pair
of fins has a function most important
to the fish. The apired fins are used
somewhat like arms and legs Fins
are made up of rays or h0ny rods
which support the membrS-4e. Inc
flexible rays are jointed, the bony ones
are stiff spines.
In looking a fish in the eye, We can
easily imagine 1t is getting friendly ana
winking at US. This is merely because
the eyeball moves and there are no
eyelids. They are nearsighted creatures,
because the lens of the eyes must be
spherical that the owner may see IN
the water. Their sense of smell is in
a wee sac to which the nostrl leads.
The nostril is very small, partitioned,
located on either side Of the snout, and
has no connection with breathing. The
tongue Is immovable, bony, and has
little sense of taste. The teeth are
fine, sharp and short and arranged in
pads. The hearing of the fish is nothing
to brag about, with neither outside form
nor opening. Along the sides OF the
body, from head to tail, is line OF
modified scales which are connected
with nerves. These are supposed to aid
in hearing.
The fish breathes through its gills.
They have bony arches handsomely
trimmed with two rows Of dainty pink
fringe and they keep out the objects
that would pass through were they not
there The impurities pass out through
the thin skin, while the life-giving
oxygen passes in. Air must be dis
solved before the fish can use it, and
this must not be forgotten, for your
pets must have the water replenished
often in the aquarium
Watch your little fish opening and
closing the mouth. 1t is drawing the
water into the throat, forcing 1t out
over the gills and through the gill
openings. This is the way OF
(Conyripht 1927