ACAXTIIOPTERYGII. 



299 



fishes, for the rapidity with which it dies when out of the water, and also becomes putrid, or tainted. 

 There are several species in the European and American seas. 



Tin/units, the Tunny, has a soft corselet of large scales on the thorax, a cartilaginous keel between the crests 

 ami the sides of the tail, and the first dorsal approaching the second. It is very abundant in the Mediterranean, 

 where it sometimes attains the length of fifteen or eighteen feet. It is captured in vast numbers, and forms an 

 essential article of the food of the people. It has been known in the Mediterranean from the remotest antiquity, 

 and occasionally appears on the British coast. There are several species, of which the Bonito, or Striped Tunny, 

 is one of the most striking. 



Orq/nus, has the pectoral fins much longer than the Tunny, the back blackish, the belly silvery, and the flesh 

 much whiter than that of the Tunny. In summer, it visits the Mediterranean and Hay of Biscay, in shoals. [Most 

 of the Scomberidaj frequent the shores in summer, for the purpose of depositing their spawn ; and they subsist, in 

 great part, upon the fry of the later spawners, as these again live upon theirs, which is a beautiful adaptation, 

 whereby the immense surplus of one family offish adequately supplies the wants of another.] 



Auxis, have the corslet and short pectorals of the Tunny, and the separate dorsals of the Mackerel. Found in 

 the Mediterranean. Of a fine blue on the back, with oblique blackish lines, and the flesh deep red. A West Indian 

 species equals the Tunny in size. 



Sarda, differ from the Tunnies in naving tne teeth separate, strong, and pointed. The only known species in- 

 habits both oceans, and is common in the Black Sea and Mediterranean. 



Cybium, have the body long, no corselet, jaw-teeth large and lancet-shaped, parietal teeth small, short, and 

 crowded. Found in the warm parts of both oceans ; and some of the species grow very large. Thyrtitet, has the 

 front teeth longer than the others, pointed teeth on the palate, and no lateral keels to the tail. 



Gemppltu, have jaw-teeth similar to the last, but no parietal teeth, and the ventral fins scarcely perceptible. 



[These are the subgenera of Scomber, and the remaining Scomberidre have characters somewhat different.] 



Xiphias, the Sword-fishes, resemble the Tunnies in their very minute scales, the keels in their tails, 

 the power of their caudal fin, and their whole internal organization. Their distinguishing characteristic 



is a long pointed beak, formed like a sword or 

 spit, which terminates their upper jaw, and is 

 a most powerful offensive weapon, with which 

 they attack the largest animals in the ocean, 

 [and sometimes drive it into the timbers of 

 ships, where it breaks, and a poition is left]. 

 Tins beak is principally composed of the vomer 

 and the intcrmaxillaries, and supported at its 

 base by the ethmoid and the frontal inaxil- 

 laries. Their gills arc not divided like the teeth of a comb, but each consists of two large and parallel 

 laminae, with reticulated surfaces. They swim with extreme rapidity, [and it is probable that the 

 peculiar gills enable them to do this with safety, not being liable to get entangled like those in threads]. 

 Their flesh is excellent. The subgenera are, — 



Xiphias, the Sword-fish, properly so called ; has the beak long, flattened horizontally, and trenchant, like the 

 blade- of a large sword ; sides of the tail w itli strong keels; only one dorsal, w nil h wears in the middle in old B] 

 mens, and then seems two. This is one of I lie la rues t and best fishes in the European seas, and is frequently fifteen 



feet long, it is verj abundant in tbe Mediterranean, but less so in the Atlantic. Notwithstanding its formidable 

 weapon, its great strength, and its almost incredible celerity, a small crustaceans animal penetrates the flesh of 

 the Sword-fish, and sometimes so torments it that it dashes itself on the shore with mortal violence. 

 Tetrapturus. Beak shaped like a stiletto; each ventral consists of one jointless blade; two small crests on 



each side of the base of the caudal, as in the Mackerel. [These lateral crests OU the tail appear to stead) that 

 powerful organ, and thus render it more efficient and unerring in its intense labour.] due species inhabits the 

 .Mediterranean. 



Makalra, like the former, but wants the ventral plates; rather a doubtful species. 



Tftiophorui, has the beak and caudal crests like 'I 'etrapturus, but the dorsal high, and serving as a -ail in 

 swimming; an i the long ami slender ventrala are composed of two ra) b each. Several species have been named, 



but they are imperfectly known. All the Sword- 

 fishes attain a large size, [and the dorsal tin is subject 

 to Vai latino- . 



Cmtronotiu, a genus Inning free spines in- 

 stead of the first pari of the dorsal, and ventrals 

 in all the species. The subgenera are, — 



Naucratft, the Pilot-fish, lias spindle-shaped body, 

 ! . irsal spines, keel ou the tail aalnthe Herring, 

 and two free spines before the anal. The Common 



Fig. 131. — Xiphias cludius. 



