210 ACANTHOPTERYGII. MACKEREL FAMILY. 



dressed next day, were found to be excellent food." 

 In 1833, nearly a hundred Pilot-fish accompanied 

 a vessel from Sicily into Catwater, but none were 

 captured. Two others appeared in 1835, and again 

 in 1838, and others subsequently; they have also 

 been seen in Dartmouth harbour, in Guernsey, and 

 elsewhere. 



The Third Section of this Family is distin- 

 guished by having the sides furnished with a cui- 

 rassed lateral line: it is numerous, especially the 

 leading genus, but has only one British representa- 

 tive. 



Gen. XXYII. Caranx, whose lateral line is 

 armed, more or les>, with scaly shields, raised into 

 a keel, and pointed. 



(Sp. 50.) C. trachurus. (PL XIII.) The Scad, 

 or Horse Mackerel, which has from 70 to 75 

 large scaly laminae on the lateral line. This fish is 

 rather smaller than the Common Mackerel, so that 

 its trivial name is not derived from its greater size, 

 but from the alleged coarseness of its flesh. Mr. 

 Couch states that it is rarely brought to market, 

 and that in many places even the fishermen are not 

 in the habit of eating them. Bat De gustibus nil 

 disputandum ; for thus Dr. Parnell, " The flesh is 

 considered by some as inferior food ; by others, as 

 far superior to that of the Mackerel ; it is firm, of 

 good flavour, and wholesome, and is in best season 

 in March and April." Mr. Yarrell has purchased 

 them in the London market in May, and remarks, 



