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HABITS OF THE GAE-FISHES. 459 



schools of minnows, that perhaps know the failing, elude it for a long time by huddling together 

 directly above or below, when, if they moved to either side, the Needle-fish would be sure to see 

 them, and they quite certain to lose some of their number. . Its movements are very rapid and its 

 aims most sure. I have seen a Needle-fish of fifteen or twenty inches length seize mullet and other 

 fish fully one-third of its own size, which often prove more than it can manage. They are some- 

 times washed ashore dead, with some spiny fish that was a little too large fixed in their throats. 

 The Needle-fish spawns in the bays in May and June. It is very seldom eaten on this coast, yet 

 it is an excellent food-fish, which I prefer to many others." 



Tylosurus Mans is a species recently discovered on our coast and abundant throughout the West 

 Indies. 



Tylosurus caribbccus is a giant species, of which one or two specimens have been found at Wood's 

 Holl, and which is common about Cuba. A species resembling that last mentioned, Tylosurus 

 Jonesii, is abundant about Bermuda, and is emphatically the game fish of those islands, where it 

 is known as the "Hound-fish." Individuals attain the length of five or six feet. They are fished 

 for with salmon rods and artificial flies by the British officers in the garrison. 



A related species, Tylosurus vulgaris, abounds on the coast of Northern Europe, and is usually 

 found in company with the mackerel, ranging north to North Cape, and occurring in considerable 

 numbers in the Baltic, but apparently not often found south of the English Channel. Great num- 

 bers are caught on the coast of Holland, where they are used for bait, and in many other parts of 

 Europe they are said to be prized for food. The Germans^repare them by smoking or drying. 



"In the autumn months," writes Buckland, "Gar-fish are very plentiful on the Cornish coast. 

 In the autumn of 1867 scarcely two thousand were taken in the seines at Mevagissey, which 

 fetched good prices, as they are much eateu by the Jews. One of the advantages of railway 

 communication may be seen in the fact that before the opening of the Cornwall Railway the 

 fishermen would not spend time by catching sea-fish, for which there was no demand, so that what 

 were caught were used for manure. Mr. Hinkston, of Mevagissey, inclosed at one time in a seine- 

 net one thousand at one time. They were at first thought to be mackerel, but, proving to be 

 Gar-fish, the seine-net was opened and they were allowed to escape. That number would now 

 command the sum of 90. In by-gone days they were not esteemed by the Cornish people as an 

 article of food, but are now eaten with the greatest avidity." 



The peculiar green color of the bones is said to prejudice many people against them. I have 

 myself tasted the American Gar-fish and found it exceedingly palatable ; and I cannot doubt that 

 at some future time they will be highly prized by our people, as they richly deserve to be. 



A species commonly known as the "Needle-fish," Tylosurus exilis, exists on the California coast. 

 It reaches a length of about two and a half feet and a weight of little more than two pounds. It 

 is found from Santa Barbara southward, and is rather common in the bays, its habits being similar 

 to those of the Atlantic Gar-fish. It spawns in August. It feeds upon anchovies and similar fishes. 

 It is a food-fish of good quality, but is not sufficiently common to be of much economic importance. 



157. THE FLYING-FISH FAMILY SCOMBERESOCID^. 



THE FLYING-FISHES. 



This group is represented on the Atlantic coast by several species, the most abundant being 

 probably the common Exocostus Rondclctii. They are usually seen quite a distance out at sea, 

 and sometimes fly on board of passing vessels. They are considered excellent food, but are so 

 rarely taken as to require no notice here. 



Professor Jordan says: "The California Flying-fish, Exoccetus californitnsis, known to the 



