182 ORDER ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



those early in the spring, generally smaller, are called 

 in French sansomets. 



The common mackerel has no natatory bladder ; 

 but, what is very remarkable, this organ is to be found 

 in many other species in other respects so like as to 

 be scarcely distinguishable, such as the little mackerel 

 of the Mediterranean, (Sc. cobias, Sc. pneumatophorus, 

 Laroche, Ann. Mus. 13.), and the Sc. grex, Mitch., 

 Trans. New York i. 428., which comes sometimes on 

 the coast of the United States in a prodigious quan- 

 tity, &c. ' 



Thynnus, Cuv. 



Have round the thorax a sort of necklace, formed by 

 scales larger and less smooth than those of the rest 

 of the body. The sides of the tail have a cartila- 

 ginous keel between the two little crests of the mac- 

 kerel. Their first dorsal extends nearly to the second. 



The common Tunny, (Sc. thynnus, Lin.) 



This fish, peculiar to the Mediterranean, is of the 

 greatest antiquity, and is a great source of riches to 

 Provence, Sardinia, Sicily, &c, by the great abundance 

 in which it is caught, and prepared with salt, oil,&c. It 

 is said to attain from fifteen to eighteen feet in length, 

 and has nine spurious fins above, and as many below. 

 Its pectorals are the fifth part of its length. 



1 Add Scomber vernalis, Mitch, loc. cit. Sc. canagurta, Cuv. 

 Russell 136. 



