2i6 AMERICAN FISHES. 



long since given up this engaging habit. This species attains a very great 

 size. One specimen, taken in 1838 off Cape Ann, measured, according to 

 Dr. Storer, fifteen feet in length, and weighed one thousand pounds, while 

 still larger individuals than this are known to have been captured. 



Their food while in our waters consists, it is said, mainly of menhaden, 

 of which they destroy a vast number. Their inclosure in the fishermen's 

 nets is not much desired, as they are apt to become entangled in them 

 and to do much injury in their efforts to escape. They are pursued by the 

 killer whales, before which they flee in great terror. A graphic descrip- 

 tion of this pursuit is given below in the words of Capt. Atwood. 



Strange to say, although highly prized in the Old World from the time 

 of the ancient Romans to the present day, they are seldom, if ever, used 

 for food in the United States, where their flesh is not esteemed, being 

 rarely, if ever eaten, although much used for mackerel bait. It is, how- 

 ever, more in favor in the Provinces. Although occurring in large numbers 

 and of remarkable size, no effort is made toward their capture ; and though 

 not unfrequently taken in weirs and pounds along the coast, they are always 

 allowed to rot on the shore. Occasionally a portion of the flesh may be 

 used as food for chickens, but seldom, if ever, for human consumption. 



In the Mediterranean the Tunny is taken in large nets, known as 

 " madragues," similar in many respects to the so-called ' ' traps ' ' of Secon- 

 net River in Rhode Island. The fish are used partly fresh and partly salted, 

 and they are put up in oil to a considerable extent and largely consumed 

 in all the Latin countries of Europe. Considerable quantities are salted 

 and canned, and canned Tunny of European manufacture is imported to 

 New York in small quantities. The flesh is dark and not usually attrac- 

 tive, although wholesome. They appear to attain a greater size in 

 America than in Europe, one of five hundred pounds in the Mediterra- 

 nean being considered rather a monster, while in America their weight is 

 not unfrequently given at from twelve to fifteen hundred pounds. 



Nothing definite is known in regard to their mode of reproduction. 

 The eggs are said to be deposited early in June, and the young at hatch- 

 ing, according to Yarrell, weigh an ounce and a half, reaching a weight 

 of four ounces by August, and thirty ounces by October. 



Mr. Matthew Jones, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, writes: "The Tunny is 

 very common on the eastern coast of Nova Scotia in summer, and is 

 known to fishermen and others as the 'Albicore.' The Rev. J. Ambrose 



