76 MACKAREL. 



itself. It is sometimes laid hold of by the sharp claws of the 

 nipper crab, f Polyhiiis Hensloivii, ) a species indeed of great 

 activity, and which swims near the surface, and is prepared 

 to seize any of the fishes which are there, until by the mere 

 fatigue of terror, it causes them to yield to their fate. It 

 is also the frequent victim of the sea lamprey, which by a 

 circular action of its teeth, bores into the flesh, and devours 

 the energies of its prey. I have known several instances of 

 a lamprey of no more than six inches in length, to be thus 

 taken in the act of inflicting a mortal wound on the Mackarel. 

 Among the ancient Romans this fish was only regarded for 

 its use in supplying a sauce, which was held by epicures 

 in high estimation. It was called the garura or sauce of the 

 allies, and was made from the ezitrails of the fish, for the 

 taking of which, to supply this article alone, fisheries were 

 carried on in those parts of Spain and Africa which lay beyond 

 the Straits of Gibraltar. It was sold at Rome at six thousand 

 sesterces, or about forty-eight pounds for the quantity of two 

 gallons; and we are informed that it was a source of con- 

 siderable riches to the countries from which it was brought. 

 Even the dregs of this precious luxury were valued as a sauce. 

 The astronomical poet Manilius gives his own impression of 

 this sauce : 



"Could gkittons see, they would not bear the sight 

 Of preparations for their appetite, 

 Whilst blood and guts, in a polluted mass 

 Lie mixed, and are corrupted into sauce ; 

 Till all the filthy gore 's distilled to treat 

 The fashionable palate of the great." 



B. 5. 



The Mackarel is so well known that it would scarcely 

 require a description, but for the sake of comparing it with 

 a few that are very nearly related to it. The general shajJe 

 is round and jjlump, approaching to a rather compressed 

 conical form on the fore part, and tapering gradually to the 

 tail. Snout rather pointed; jaws equal, with teeth which also 

 surround the palate. Eye lateral, moderately large; a soft 

 membrane overlajDping its hinder part. Gill membrane closely 

 hid beneath the gill-cover. Scales of the body very small; 

 lateral line irregularly straight. The first dorsal fin is opposite 

 the ventral fins, which latter are slightly behind the root of the 



