GEN. SCOMBERESOX. THE SAURY-PIKE. 103 



and whiter in the flesh, and possessing much of the 

 same flavour." Cuvier says, " Quil donne un hon 

 manger." 



Gen. LXI. Scomberesox. — This genus resembles 

 the former in the length of its snout, its general 

 shape, and its scales ; but the last rays of the dorsal 

 and anal fins are detached and form spurious fins 

 on the upper and under sides, as on the Mackerel. 

 Some species are catalogued by Dr. Richardson as 

 occurring on the North American coast ; one only 

 is known in the British. It is 



(Sp. 119.) S.saurus. The Saury-pike, or Skipper, 

 is known in the Mediterranean as well as on the 

 Western Atlantic shores. In Britain it seems pre- 

 eminently a migratory fish, appearing usually in the 

 autumn, in vast abundance at one time, and very 

 sparingly, or not at all, at others. Its shape, gene- 

 rally, is like that of the Gar-fish. In size it averages 

 from a foot to eighteen inches. The dorsal fin has 

 five and the anal eight spurious fins ; the snout is 

 fine, slightly curved upwards, and toothless; the 

 lower jaw being the longest ; the body is smooth, 

 and the scales thin. All the fins are small, the 

 dorsal being far down the back. " The colour of 

 the back is a lovely azure blue, changing to grey, 

 and glossed with purple and yellow ; the lower part 

 silvery." Mr. Pennant mentions that great numbers 

 of these fish were thrown ashore on the sands of 

 Leith, after a great storm in November 17^8; and 

 Mr. Low states, that in 1774, such a glut of them 

 get into Kerston Bay, Orkney, that they could be 



