AND THE FISH THEREOF. 8r 



Aphycs of the Ancients) ; they are also preserved in oil {Angucla marinata). 

 They are, however, only consumed by the poor. Being one of the few kinds 

 of fish which spawn in the lagoons and brackish waters, their chief value is 

 as food for the more valuable kinds of fishes which are reared in the valli 

 of the lagoons. There they come under the denomination of Pesce da strame 

 [strame = fodder). Sometimes they are caught in such quantities in the 

 lagoons of Commacchio that whole cargoes are shipped to serve as manure. 

 They are shore-fishes, living in large shoals, and the fry collects and ascends 

 the rivers in shoals. Three species are known here, all are common. 



The Grey Mullets (Mugilidez), known in these parts by the general 

 term of Cievolame, are of great importance ; there are five common species, 

 all of which are numerous, prolific, and develope rapidly. They endure more 

 than other kinds of fishes the rapid changes of temperature ; they prefer 

 brackish waters, and the small fry enters in multitudes the mouths of rivers, 

 the lagoons, and the valli chiuse ; they are, therefore, of prime importance 

 in the fisheries of the valli ; their roe is smoked in Dalmatia, and is known 

 by the name of Bolarga ; it is considered a delicacy, and the produce of 

 Tunis and Cartha^ena is the most renowned in the Mediterranean. In the 

 valli, they come under the class of fish known as Pesce bianco ; three species 

 extend to British waters, and M. chelo is known to ascend the rivers and 

 to live in lakes, returning to the sea for spawning. M. labeo is a new species 

 for these seas which has been caught at Ragusa. 



The Sticklebacks frequent the Venetian lagoons, and the Trumpet- 

 fish {Centriscus scolopax) is occasionally caught, but neither of them have 

 any value. 



There are seven species of Suck-fishes (Gobieso cider), all small fishes 

 exhibiting brilliant colours and not exceeding four inches in length : two are 

 common, and belong to the class of minutaja ; the remainder are only 

 occasionally met with. 



Lophotes cepedianus is a deep-sea fish, which only occurs quite accidentally. 



numbers almost incredible. The inhabitants of the Mediterranean coast of France called these, 

 newly-hatched Atherines nonnat (unborn). — Gunther. 



M 



