STURGEONS. 



29: 



To make isinglass, the air-bladders are washed 

 carefully in water, and the outer membrane is 

 removed ; what remains is then rolled up in a 

 cloth, and kneaded with the hands, until it has 

 become thoroughly softened. Each bladder is 

 then moulded into a cylindrical form, dried in a 

 gentle heat, and bleached with the fumes of 

 brimstone. 



THE STURGEON. 



The Common Sturgeon has the snout slender 

 and pointed ; the body is somewhat five-sided, 

 being studded with five rows of bony plates, that 

 run down the whole length ; one along the 

 back, another along each side, and two more 

 bordering the belly. These plates are oval, with 

 a curved spine in the centre of each. The ground 

 colour of the body is brown on the upper parts, 



