ESOX. 165 



of them are driven about by the mackerel in July 



and August. 



FAMILY III. ESOCES. 



GEN. ESOX. 



COMMON PIKE, Pickerel, Esox Lucius.* 

 With a few exceptions the body has an olive 

 shade, considerably dark on the back ; but the 

 sides, in particular positions, show waving lines, 

 delicately mottled with dark spots. The under 

 jaw is a trifle the longest. All the intermaxillary 

 bones, palate and tongue, are studded with minute 

 teeth ; some of them, however, bordering the 

 edges, are considerably developed. 



THE PIKE. 



It has but one dorsal fin, directly opposite the 

 anal, and both have thirteen rays. In this 

 country, as in Europe, it varies from six inches 



* In England young pike are called Pickers, when half 

 grown Jack, and at full growth, Pike. 



