250 COMMON MACKEREL. 



stance that they have the name of Pilot-fish. Small as 

 this fish is, not more than six or eight inches in length, 

 it is able to keep pace with a ship, even through its 

 swiftest course. 



It has somewhat the shape of a mackerel. The head, 

 and particularly the snout, is long. In front of the dorsal 

 fin, which extends nearly to the tail, there are four spines. 

 The gill-membrane has seven rays. The body is of a 

 golden brown colour, marked with several transverse 

 black belts. 



12. MACKEREL TRIBE. 



These fish are seldom found but in immense shoals. 

 Some of them are migratory, and make long voyages at 

 certain seasons of the year. There are about twenty-five 

 species. 



Common Mackerel. t The shoals of Mackerel which 

 frequent the British coasts, are numerous beyond all 

 conception. They arrive about the middle of summer. 

 The Mackerel fishery is an object of considerable im- 

 portance to the inhabitants of most of the maritime 

 countries of Europe. These fish are chiefly caught by 

 means of nets ; but they will also eagerly seize a bait of 

 red cloth, if suspended upon the surface of the water 

 from a boat in motion. Mackerel die almost immediately 

 after they are taken out of the water, and they soon 

 become putrid. Hence it is, that in the Roman Catholic 

 countries they are permitted to be sold on the festivals, 

 and in London to be cried about the streets on Sundays. 

 When pickled, or salted, these fish may be kept good 

 for a considerable length of time. Mackerel spawn 

 about the month of June, depositing their eggs amongst 



