THE BONITO. 213 



alone; the Devonshire coast. Mr Couch considers them as 

 half grown in November, when they retire to deep water, 

 and are seen no more that winter. Whether the young 

 that are seen, of four or more inches in length, in the month 

 of August, be theproduction of the spawn shed in June of the 

 same or the preceding year, remains involved in considerable 

 doubt, and it would prove an object of interesting research 

 to discover the true growth. 



The food of the mackerel is fry of other fish. Its flesh 

 is held in high estimation for the table, and should be eaten 

 when perfectly fresh. In the months of May and June it 

 is considered to be in best season. 



At Dover, in the year 1808, mackerel were so plentiful 

 that they were sold at sixty for a shilling, and in the year 

 1821 the catch of sixteen boats from Lowestoffe amounted 

 to the value of L. 5252, and it is supposed that there was 

 no less an amount than L.l 4,000 altogether realized by the 

 owners and men concerned in the fishery of the Suffolk 

 coast.* 



This species is distinguished from Scomber maculatus of 

 Couch, in having five more rays in the first dorsal fin, and 

 the sides being without spots. 



Genus THUNNUS. — Dorsal fins two ; the first reach- 

 ing nearly to the second ; finlets behind the second dorsal 

 and anal fins. 



ThUNNUS PELAMYS.f ThE BoNITO. 



Specific Character. — Behind the second dorsal fin eight finlets ; be- 

 hind the anal seven ; sides of the abdomen with four longitudinal 

 dusky bands. 



• Paget, Nat. Hist, of Yarmouth. 



■f Thunnus pelamy&, Cuv., Yar. Scomber ptlamys, 'L\Y^'n., Gouch. Bo- 

 nito. Striped-bellied Tunny. 



