Respiration as a Factor in Locomotion of Fishes

THE accepted explanation of the locomotion of fishes not in contact with some solid surface is in terms of, first, the sinuous m-ovement of the body, and, second, the movements of the various fins. The relative importance of the numerous factors embodied in these of obvious necessity differs from species to species, depending upon the degree and kind of specialization of any given form. While the present writer professes disagreement with the accepted explanations on several points as to the manner in which the known factors react on the surrounding element, it is not the purpose of this paper to attempt an overthrowing of these current conceptions, its purpose being simply that of calling attention to the existence of another factor in fish locomotion which had escaped the observation of students until discovered and called to mazy attention by Mr. Clifford MN1. Paxton of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Paxton has invented and claimed patent rights on a strikingly novel method of propelling ships which he calls an "induced stream line system." His thoughts, as developed, were the results of the contemplation of abstract hydraulic principles, but his discoveries and the developments of these principles caused him subsequently to conclude that fishes must receive locomotor benefit from the automatic operation of certain parts in accordance with one or more of the principles which he has developed for the high speed propulsion of vessels. A brief consideration of Mr. Paxton's propulsion method is necessary to a proper understanding of some of these newly discovered factors of fish propulsion.