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MALACOPTERYGII. — ESOCID^. 



many enemies, and lives longer than his greatest 

 foe, man. His voracity is unbounded ; and like 

 the most accomplished corporate officers, he is 

 nearly omnivorous, his palate giving the pre- 

 ference, however, to fish, flesh, and fowl. Dys- 

 pepsia never interferes with his digestion ; and he 



possesses a quality that would have been valuable 

 at La Trappe, — he can fast without inconvenience 

 for a se'nnight. He can gorge himself then to 

 beyond the gills, without the slightest derange- 

 ment of the stomach. He is shark and ostrich 

 combined. . . . His intemperate habits ren- 

 der him an object of disgust and dread. He 

 devours his own children; but, strange to say, 

 likes better, (for eating,) the children of his neigh- 



