196 ACANTHOPTERYGII. MACKEREL FAMILY. 



was found, as is well known, to be of a red colour, 

 like that of Salmon, and was considered a rich and 

 delicate morsel by those who partook of it. In 

 Scotland it is known by the name of Mackerehture, 

 or Great Mackerel, from accompanying the shoals 

 of this fish. Three, as mentioned by Mr. Donovan, 

 were captured near the mouth of the Thames in the 

 summer of 1801, and were taken to Billingsgate 

 market. Mr. Couch, as quoted by Mr. Yarrell, 

 states that the Tunny appears on the Cornish coasts 

 in summer and autumn, but is not often taken. It 

 feeds on Pilchards, Herrings, and other smaller 

 fishes ; but the Saury-pike seems to be its favourite 

 prey ; for it not only compels it to seek another 

 element for safety, but will also spring to a con- 

 siderable height after it, usually crossing its course, 

 at the same time attempting to strike it down with 

 its tail. 



The form of the Tunny is similar to that of the 

 Mackerel, but it is larger, rounder, and has a 

 shorter snout ; the dorsal fin is lodged in an elon- 

 gated depression on the back, which conceals it 

 when folded down. The upper part of the body is 

 dark blue, the corselet much lighter ; the sides of 

 the head white, silvery-spotted; the first dorsal, 

 pectoral, and ventral, black; the tail paler; the 

 second dorsal and anal flesh-coloured; the finlets 

 yellowish, tipt with black. It is one of the largest 

 of fishes : in the Mediterranean, when one hundred 

 weight, it is considered diminutive ; when from one 

 to three hundred weight: it is regarded as a Half- 



